Image-formation lens system, and imaging system using the same

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an image-formation lens system well balanced among cost reductions, size reductions and performance improvements and an imaging system incorporating that lens system. The image-formation lens system in the imaging system is a zoom lens system that comprises at least three lens groups including a first lens group G 1  of positive power, a second lens group G 2  of positive power and a third lens group G 3  of negative power, wherein zooming is carried out by varying the spacing between adjacent lens groups. The zoom lens system comprises a total of up to 8 lenses, and satisfies the following conditions:  
     0.07&lt;δ g   /IH&lt;0.23   (1)  
     1.8&lt; TeleFno/WideFno &lt;3  (2)  
     −8%&lt;DTL w &lt;8%  (3)  
     Here δ g  is a difference between the rear focal positions at d- and g-lines of the zoom lens system at the telephoto end, IH is the maximum image height at the image plane, WideFno and TeleFno are the F-numbers at d-line of the zoom lens system at wide-angle end and telephoto end, respectively, and DTL w  is an amount of d-line distortion at an angle of view of 28.0° at the wide-angle end.

[0001] This application claims benefit of Japanese Application No.2002-336141 filed in Japan on 11.20, 2002, the contents of which areincorporated by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an image-formationlens, and an imaging system incorporating the same, and particularly toa zoom lens system having a zooming action. More particularly, thepresent invention is concerned with an inexpensive, small-format,high-zoom-ratio zoom lens system that is well fit for phototaking lensesfor, e.g., lens shutter cameras or digital cameras.

[0003] Various arrangements such as two-group arrangements comprising apositive front group and a negative rear group, and three-grouparrangements comprising a positive first lens group, a positive secondlens group and a negative third lens group have so far been proposed forinexpensive, small-format, high-zoom-ratio zoom lenses used on lensshutter cameras.

[0004] For instance, Patent Publication 1 proposes a two-group zoom lensof +− construction, and Patent Publications 2-4 put forward athree-group zoom lens of ++− construction, which comprises up to 10lenses. All these zoom lenses are relatively inexpensive and have a highzoom ratio.

[0005] Patent Publication 1

[0006] JP-A 9-90220

[0007] Patent Publication 2

[0008] JP-A 2000-21802

[0009] Patent Publication 3

[0010] JP-A 2000-275524

[0011] Patent Publication 4

[0012] JP-A 2000-19399

[0013] In such conventional zoom lenses, however, there is still muchleft to be desired in terms of performance, size and cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In view of such prior art problems as mentioned above, thepresent invention has for its main object to provide an image-formationlens system well balanced among cost reductions, size reductions andperformance improvements, and an imaging system using the same.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, this object isaccomplished by the provision of an imaging system comprising animage-formation lens system and a means located on the image sidethereof for defining an image pickup area, characterized in that:

[0016] said image-formation lens system is a zoom lens system comprisingat least three lens groups including a lens group of positive power anda lens group of negative power, wherein zooming is carried out byvarying the spacing between adjacent lens groups, and

[0017] said zoom lens system comprises a total of up to 8 lenses, andsatisfies the following conditions:

0.07<δ_(g) /IH<0.23  (1)

1.8<TeleFno/WideFno<3  (2)

−8%<DTL_(w)<8%  (3)

[0018] where δ_(g) is a difference between the rear focal positions atd- and g-lines of said zoom lens system at the telephoto end, IH is themaximum image height at an image plane, WideFno and TeleFno are theF-numbers at d-line of said zoom lens system at the wide-angle end andtelephoto ends, respectively, and DTL_(w) is the amount of d-linedistortion at an angle of view of 28.0° at the wide-angle end.

[0019] The actions and advantages of the imaging system according to theabove first aspect are now explained.

[0020] For the purpose of reducing the size and cost of an opticalsystem, it is effective to decrease the total number of lenses includedtherein, and so one premise of the invention is to bring the number oflenses forming part of the image-lens system to up to 8. As the lensesoutnumber eight, there are cost rises, with the size becoming hugebecause of the need of ensuring that each lens has some thickness at themiddle and the edge, as required for fabrication reasons, making itdifficult to provide an attractive lens system.

[0021] However, as the number of lenses decreases, it is difficult tomake satisfactory correction for aberrations of a zoom lens system thatforms an image-formation lens system from its wide-angle end to itstelephoto end.

[0022] Thus, the imaging system of the invention is constructed ashaving a zoom lens comprising three or more lens groups, wherein axialchromatic aberration is positively produced at the telephoto end of thezoom lens where the F-number increases, with a view to giving weight oncorrection of distortion that becomes noticeable at the wide-angle endopposite to the telephoto end.

[0023] When it comes to a zoom lens, axial chromatic aberration is aptto increase at the telephoto end as it decreases at the wide-angle end,and vice versa. It is thus common to keep the aberration satisfactory inthe vicinity of an intermediate focal distance. According to the imagingsystem of the invention, image degradation due to axial chromaticaberration at the telephoto end can be prevented by allowing the axialchromatic aberration to come within the range of condition (1) and theratio of the F-number at the telephoto end relative to the wide-angleend to fall within the range of condition (2).

[0024] It is here noted that the d-line is light of 587.562 nmwavelength and the g-line is light of 435.835 nm wavelength, and themaximum image height IH at the image plane is defined by ½ of thediagonal length L of the (substantially rectangular) effective imagepickup area of an image pickup device.

[0025] As the lower limit of 0.07 to condition (1) is not reached, it isdifficult to obtain any satisfactory image-formation performance at thewide-angle end with a reduced number of lenses. As the upper limit of0.23 is exceeded, on the other hand, the zoom lens system is readilyaffected by camera shakes, etc., because the influence of axialchromatic aberration at the telephoto end becomes large; it is requiredto overly increase the F-number at the telephoto end so as to preventimage degradation.

[0026] As the lower limit of 1.8 to condition (2) is not reached, theF-number at the telephoto end becomes small, and so the influence ofaxial chromatic aberration on pictures cannot be ignored. As the upperlimit of 3 is exceeded, on the other hand, the F-number at the telephotoend becomes too large, rendering the zoom lens system susceptible tocamera shakes, etc.

[0027] Any deviation from the upper limit of 8% and the lower limit of−8% to condition 3 makes distortion too large to obtain a lens systemhaving preferable performance.

[0028] When a film is used as the image pickup recording medium, themeans for defining the image pickup area is provided by a field framelocated just in front thereof, and when an electronic image pickupdevice such as a CCD is used, that means is provided by the electronicimage pickup device itself, which includes an image pickup area that canbe used for reproduction of phototaken images. Where the image pickuprange is arbitrarily variable, the maximum image height IH on the imageplane is defined by the maximum value in the widest range practicable,with the provision that an area not available for reproduction ofphototaken images is excluded from the image plane.

[0029] In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, theimaging system of the above first aspect is further characterized inthat the maximum image height IH at the image plane satisfies thefollowing condition:

20 mm<IH<25 mm  (8)

[0030] The actions and advantages of this imaging system are nowexplained.

[0031] A simple way of making an imaging system compact is to make thesize of an image plane small and, with this, reduce the size of animage-formation lens system. Only by reducing the size of theimage-formation lens system, however, the thickness of the lens becomesthin, ending up with poor processability. As the size of the image planedecreases, the amount of light received thereon decreases, againresulting in a phototaken image being likely to degrade.

[0032] Condition (8) is provided to cut down fabrication cost and obtaina sensible tradeoff between compactness and high performance. As thelower limit of 20 mm to condition (8) is not reached, the size of theimage plane becomes small and so does the thickness of the lenses used,resulting in poor processability. As the upper limit of 25 mm isexceeded, on the other hand, it is difficult to render the overall sizeof the imaging system compact.

[0033] In accordance with the third aspect of the invention, the imagingsystem of the above first or second aspect is further characterized inthat at least one of said lens groups having negative power consists ofa plurality of negative lenses whose power turns negative on an opticalaxis, wherein at least one of said plurality of negative lenses is anaspheric lens whose power turns from negative to positive farther off acenter thereof, and at least one negative lens included in saidplurality of negative lenses and different from said aspheric lensmaintains negative power all the way from a center to a peripherythereof.

[0034] The actions and advantages of the above third imaging system ofthe invention are now explained.

[0035] For lens groups having negative power, it is common that variousaberrations are corrected by using positive and negative lenses havingdifferent powers. To achieve high zoom ratios with a small-formatarrangement, however, each lens group must have strong power. With costreductions in mind, it is desired to set up the lens groups with fewerlenses, and when strong negative power is imparted to the lens groupswith fewer lenses, it is preferable that negative lenses are used forall lenses, because sharp bending of light rays in the vicinity of theoptical axis is avoided to reduce adverse influences due to decentrationof the lenses. In accordance with the third aspect of the invention,therefore, all lenses in any of the negative lens groups are made up ofnegative lenses, so that aberrations that cannot be corrected by thenegative lenses alone, for instance, spherical aberrations, can becanceled out with other positive lens group. Regarding off-axis lightbeams, the aspheric surface whose power turns positive at its peripheryis used in the negative lens group to make correction for variousaberrations under the actions of positive and negative powers therein.

[0036] With the arrangement of the third aspect of the invention, thenegative power of the lens group located on the optical axis isallocated to a plurality of lenses, so that the concentration ofnegative power on one single lens is avoidable, achieving high zoomratios and diminishing the influences of decentration. In addition, atleast one of the plurality of negative lenses is defined by an asphericlens whose refracting power turns positive nearer to the periphery,i.e., an aspheric surface that has a positive lens action on thefarthest off-axis chief ray at any of zooming zones, whereby off-axisaberrations (especially distortion and chromatic aberration ofmagnification at the wide-angle end) can be well corrected.

[0037] In accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention, theimaging system of the above third aspect is further characterized inthat said aspheric lens satisfies following condition:

10<f _(asp) /f _(N)<100  (4)

[0038] where f_(asp) is the focal length of the aspheric lens on theoptical axis, and f_(N) is the focal length on the optical axis of thelens group of negative power including the aspheric lens.

[0039] The actions and advantages of the above fourth aspect of theinvention are now explained.

[0040] The above condition (4) is provided to define the profile of theaxial negative power of the aspheric lens whose power turns positivenearer to the periphery. As the lower limit of 10 to condition (4) isnot reached, it is difficult to construct the aspheric surface with highaccuracy, contrary to cost reductions. As the upper limit of 100 isexceeded, on the other hand, the proportion of axial negative power ofthe aspheric lens becomes too small, and so the aspheric lens issusceptible of influences by the decentration of other negative lens inthe same lens group.

[0041] In accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention, any one ofthe above first to fourth imaging systems is further characterized inthat said image-formation lens system is a three-group zoom lenscomprising, in order from an object side thereof, a lens group ofpositive power, a lens group of positive power and a lens group ofnegative power wherein zooming is performed by varying the spacingbetween adjacent lens groups, and satisfies the following condition:

0.55<L _(t) /f _(t)<0.715  (5)

[0042] where L_(t) is a real distance at the telephoto end of theimage-formation lens system from a plane located nearest the object sideto the image plane, and f_(t) is the composite focal length at thetelephoto end of the image-formation lens system.

[0043] The actions and advantages of the imaging system according to theabove fifth aspect of the invention are now explained.

[0044] A zoom lens comprising four or more lens groups has a complicatedconstruction, and is hard to achieve cost reductions. On the other hand,a zoom lens composed of two lens groups is difficult to achieve any highzoom ratios. Thus, the invention is preferably applied to reducing thesize of a three-group zoom lens of the ++− type that is favorable forachieving compactness and high zoom ratios. When the size and cost ofthe three-group zoom lens of the ++− type are reduced, for instance,when the entire lens length at the telephoto end is shortened relativeto the focal length at the telephoto end, the power of each lens grouptends to become strong. By exploitation of the inventive idea accordingto the first aspect of the invention, however, it is possible to obtaina zoom lens that is kept compact in its entirety while ensuring highzoom ratios.

[0045] Condition (5) provides a definition of how much the size of thethus defined lens system is diminished. As the lower limit of 0.55 tothis condition is not reached, each aberration itself becomes too largeto ensure sufficient image-formation capability. Exceeding the upperlimit of 0.715 may be favorable for ensuring image-formation capabilityand lessening the influences of fabrication errors, but this makes itdifficult to diminish the size of a phototaking device.

[0046] In accordance with the sixth aspect of the invention, there isprovided an image-formation lens system comprising a plurality of lenseswith aspheric lenses, characterized in that:

[0047] any one of said aspheric lenses has an aspheric surface on anentrance side or an exit side thereof, and satisfies the followingconditions:

0.4>(ΔZ _(max) −ΔZ _(half))/Y _(max)>0.18  (6)

0.05>ΔZ _(half) /Y _(max)≧0  (7)

[0048] where Y_(max) is the maximum value of a distance of said asphericlens surface from an optical axis, ΔZ_(max) is the absolute value of adistance from a plane vertical to the optical axis including a lenssurface apex at Y_(max), and ΔZ_(half) is the absolute value of adistance from a plane vertical to the optical axis including a lenssurface apex at a distance half of said maximum value Y_(max), providedthat the lens surface refers to an entire area wherein a surface shapeinclusive of an effective diameter exists continuously, indicative of aboundary between that area and an area where the surface shape becomesdiscontinuous.

[0049] The actions and advantages of the image-formation lens systemaccording to the above sixth aspect of the invention are now explained.

[0050] To reduce the size and cost and enhance the performance of a lenssystem, it is required to rely on an aspheric lens thereby decreasingthe number of lenses and increasing the degree of flexibility incorrection of aberrations.

[0051] As the size of a lens system such as a zoom lens becomes small,the refraction of each lens tends to become strong, and with this thereare degradations in axial aberrations represented generally by sphericalaberration and off-axis aberrations represented by distortion and fieldcurvature. To make correction for both such aberrations, it is requiredto use an aspheric lens that has such an effect as to correct sphericalaberration mainly around its center and distortion and field curvaturemainly at its periphery.

[0052] Accordingly, if a lens system is made up using an aspheric lensthat satisfies conditions (6) and (7), it is then possible to achievecompactness and high performance with a reduced number of lenses.

[0053] Condition (6) is provided to define a difference between thequantities of asphericity around the center and at the periphery of theaspheric lens. As the upper limit of 0.4 to condition (6) is exceeded,some compactness is achievable because the aspheric lens has someconsiderable effect on correction of aberrations around its center andat its periphery; however, loads of the lens surface on correction ofaberrations become too large to achieve satisfactory performance becauseof an increased performance degradation due to surface decentration. Inaddition, steep surface shape changes render it difficult to ensuresurface accuracy. As the lower limit of 0.18 is not reached, theaspheric surface fails to obtain any sufficient effect on correction ofaberrations; attempts to obtain satisfactory performance would cause thenumber of lenses or the size of the lens system to increase.

[0054] Condition (7) is combined with condition (6) to provide adefinition of how the effect of the aspheric surface is much moreenhanced. As the upper limit of 0.05 is exceeded, some compactness isachievable on condition that there is obtained the difference, asdefined by condition (6), between the quantities of asphericity aroundthe center and at the periphery, because the effect on correction ofaberrations around the center and at the periphery is enhanced asdescribed above; however, loads of the lens surface on correction ofaberrations become too large to achieve mass fabrication in high yieldsbecause of an increased performance degradation due to surfacedecentration. In addition, steep surface shape changes render itdifficult to ensure surface accuracy. On the other hand, there is noreal chance of condition (7) having less than zero value.

[0055] In accordance with the seventh aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of the above sixth aspect is furthercharacterized by satisfying either one of the following conditions (6′)and (7′):

0.4>(ΔZ _(max) −ΔZ _(half))/Y _(max)>0.20  (6′)

0.03>ΔZ _(half) /Y _(max)≧0  (7′)

[0056] In accordance with the eighth aspect of the invention, there isprovided an imaging system, characterized by comprising animage-formation lens system as recited in the above sixth or seventhaspect and a means located on an image side thereof for defining animage pickup area, wherein:

[0057] said image-formation lens system comprises a plurality of lensgroups including a lens group of positive power and a lens group ofnegative power, wherein zooming is performed by varying the spacingbetween adjacent lens groups, and

[0058] said aspheric lens is located within a lens group wherein a chiefray having the largest image height at an image plane is farthest off anoptical axis in a zooming zone.

[0059] The actions and advantages of the imaging system according to theabove eighth aspect of the invention are now explained.

[0060] The aspheric lens in the image-formation lens system according tothe sixth or seventh aspect of the invention has the greatest effectwhen it is used where an axial light beam is farthest off an ambientlight beam. It is thus preferable to locate that aspheric lens within alens group wherein a center light beam is farthest off the ambient lightbeam, so that an imaging system of smaller size and higher performancecan be provided.

[0061] In accordance with the ninth aspect of the invention, the imagingsystem of the above eighth aspect is further characterized in that saidaspheric lens is located in a lens group nearest to the image side, withsatisfaction of the following condition (9):

8.5>f _(t) /IH>5.8  (9)

[0062] where f_(t) is the composite focal length of the image-formationlens system at the telephoto end, and IH is the maximum image height atthe image plane.

[0063] Generally in an image-formation lens system represented by asilver-halide film compact camera wherein image-formation size issomewhat larger than the effective diameter of the lens system, it is ina lens group nearest to the image side of the lens system that a centerlight beam is farthest off an ambient light beam. Accordingly, it ispreferable to use an aspheric lens in this lens group.

[0064] Condition (9) is provided to define the focal length of theimage-formation lens system at the telephoto end. Falling short of thelower limit of 5.8 to condition (9) ends up with cameras unattractive tousers, because of too low a zoom ratio. Exceeding the upper limit of 8.5makes it difficult to attain a proper balance among aberrations all overthe zooming zone while compactness and low cost are maintained, becausethe zoom ratio is high. This is true even when an aspheric surface isused.

[0065] In accordance with the tenth aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of the above sixth aspect is furthercharacterized by comprising an aperture stop, wherein said aspheric lensis such that a normal to said aspheric surface at a position spaced awayfrom an optical axis on said aspheric surface along a lens surface by70% of Y_(max) is inclined toward the optical axis side in a directionin which said aperture stop is located, and a lens having an effectivediameter larger than that of said aspheric lens is located on a side ofsaid aspheric lens opposite to said aperture stop and adjacent to saidaspheric lens on the optical axis with only an air gap therebetween.

[0066] The actions and advantages of the image-formation lens systemaccording to the above tenth aspect of the invention are now explained.

[0067] An aspheric lens has higher performance when used in combinationwith other lens than when used alone. When further size reductions aredesired, it is advantageous to decrease the thickness of the lens systemalong the optical axis. Thus, an arrangement wherein the peripheralportion of the aspheric lens is configured in such a way as to beconcave in opposition to the stop is advantageous for decreasing thethickness of the lens system along the optical axis.

[0068] In accordance with the eleventh aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of the above tenth aspect is furthercharacterized in that the lens located adjacent to said aspheric lens isa meniscus lens having a concave surface on an aperture stop side,wherein said concave surface and said aspheric surface are opposite toeach other with an air gap therebetween and said aspheric surface andsaid concave surface are close to each other around peripheral positionsthereof.

[0069] The actions and advantages of the image-formation lens systemaccording to the above eleventh aspect of the invention are nowexplained.

[0070] The optical lens located adjacent to the aspheric lens isconfigured into a concave meniscus shape with respect to the aperturestop, and is positioned in contact with a peripheral convex portion ofthe aspheric surface of the aspheric lens while the concave surface ofthat optical lens facing the aspheric lens is located in opposition tothat aspheric surface with a radius of curvature R deeper than that ofthe aspheric surface. This arrangement is very advantageous for reducingthe thickness of the lens system in the optical axis direction.Preferably in this case, the adjoining lens having a deeper radius ofcurvature R should be made up of glass in favor of fabrication.

[0071] By allowing those lenses to be concave with respect to theaperture stop, it is also possible to make easy correction for fieldcurvature and distortion and, hence, achieve compactness and highperformance.

[0072] In accordance with the twelfth aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of the above tenth or eleventh aspect isfurther characterized in that said aspheric lens has a meniscus shapeconcave with respect to said aperture stop.

[0073] The actions and advantages of the image-formation lens systemaccording the above twelfth aspect of the invention are now explained.

[0074] Correction of aberrations due to axial and off-axis light beamsdetermined in dependence on the aperture stop is made by the asphericsurface in a separated fashion, facilitating that correction. If, inthis case, the aspheric surface is such configured as to have a concavesurface on the aperture stop side, it is then possible to make the angleof incidence of an off-axis light beam on the aspheric lens so gentlethat off-axis aberrations can be substantially reduced.

[0075] In accordance with the thirteenth aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of the above twelfth aspect is furthercharacterized in that the lens adjacent to the aspheric lens isconfigured in a meniscus form having a concave surface on the aperturestop side and negative power.

[0076] The actions and advantages of the image-formation lens systemaccording to the above 13^(th) aspect of the invention are nowexplained.

[0077] An optical system including an aspheric surface is mostpreferably located at a position where a center light beam is farthestoff an ambient light beam. With the arrangement wherein the negativemeniscus form is applied to the lens located adjacent to the convexsurface side of the meniscus aspheric lens, however, it is possible tomake easy correction of aberrations even with respect to a larger imageor object height.

[0078] In accordance with the fourteenth aspect of the invention, theimaging system of the above 8^(th) aspect of the invention is furthercharacterized in that:

[0079] a lens group wherein said chief ray is farthest off the opticalaxis in a zooming zone is a lens group located nearest to the image sideof said zoom lens system,

[0080] said lens group located adjacent to the image side has negativepower and consists of a plurality of negative lenses whose power turnsnegative on the optical axis,

[0081] said aspheric lens is any one of said plurality of negativelenses, wherein power turns from negative to positive farther off thecenter thereof, and

[0082] at least one of said plurality of negative lenses, different fromsaid aspheric lens, is a negative lens that maintains negative power allthe way from the center to the periphery thereof.

[0083] The actions and advantages of the imaging system according to theabove 14^(th) aspect of the invention are now explained.

[0084] When the imaging system is used with a film-specific compactcamera or the like, the whole length of the lens system at the telephotoend can be shortened by using a negative lens group as the lens groupnearest to the image plane side. Because the axial negative power ofthis lens group is allocated to a plurality of lenses having negativepower, it is possible to avoid the concentration of negative power onone single lens, thereby achieving high zoom performance and relievingthe influences of decentration. In addition, at least one of theplurality of negative lenses is made up of an aspheric lens whose powerturns positive farther off its center, i.e., an aspheric lens thatbehaves as a positive lens with respect to the farthest off-axis chiefray somewhere in the zooming zone. This ensures satisfactory correctionof off-axis aberrations (especially distortion and chromatic aberrationof magnification at the wide-angle end).

[0085] In accordance with the 15^(th) aspect of the invention, theimaging system according to the above 8^(th) aspect is furthercharacterized in that:

[0086] a lens group wherein said chief ray is farthest off the opticalaxis in a zooming zone is a lens group located nearest to the objectside of said zoom lens system,

[0087] said lens group located nearest to the object side is a lensgroup having negative power and comprising a plurality of lenses, eachhaving power turning negative on the optical axis,

[0088] a lens having an aspheric surface is provided somewhere otherthan the side nearest to the object side, wherein said aspheric lens isany one of said plurality of lenses, which has gradually increasingpositive power farther off the center thereof, and

[0089] at least one of said plurality of lenses, different from saidaspheric lens, is a negative lens that maintains negative power all theway from the center to the periphery thereof.

[0090] The actions and advantages of the imaging system according to theabove 15^(th) aspect of the invention are now explained.

[0091] When the imaging system is used on a CCD-incorporating digitalcamera or the like, the diameter of the zoom lens can be diminishedwhile ensuring a wide-angle arrangement by using a negative lens groupas the lens group nearest to the object side. In this aspect, at leastone of the plurality of lenses is built up of an aspheric lens whosepower turns gradually increasing positive farther off its center, i.e.,an aspheric lens that behaves as a positive lens with respect to thefarthest off-axis chief ray somewhere in the zooming zone. This ensuressatisfactory correction of off-axis aberrations (especially distortionand chromatic aberration of magnification at the wide-angle end).

[0092] In accordance with the 16^(th) aspect of the invention, theimaging system according to the above 8^(th), 14^(th) or 15^(th) aspectis further characterized in that said zoom lens comprises up to 8 lensesin all.

[0093] In the imaging system according to the above 16^(th) aspect ofthe invention, the number of lenses used is specified. The combined useof the aforesaid aspheric lens ensures that the number of lenses is muchmore reduced with the result that cost reductions as well as compactnessare achievable.

[0094] In accordance with the 17^(th) aspect of the invention, there isprovided another image-formation lens system, characterized bycomprising, in order from an object side thereof, a first lens grouphaving positive power, a second lens group having positive power and athird lens group having negative power, wherein zooming from thewide-angle end to the telephoto end of the image-formation lens systemis performed by allowing the spacing between the first lens group andthe second lens group to become wide and the spacing between the secondlens group and the third lens group to become narrow, and the third lensgroup consists of two negative lenses having negative power on anoptical axis and satisfies the following conditions (10) and (5):

0.8<d ₁ /D _(air)<2.0  (10)

0.55<L _(t) /f _(t)<0.715  (5)

[0095] where d₁ is the thickness on the optical axis of an objectside-negative lens in the third lens group, D_(air) is the air gapbetween the two negative lenses in the third lens group, L_(t) is thereal distance of the image-formation lens system from the surfacelocated nearest to the object side to an image plane as measured at thetelephoto end, and f_(t) is the composite focal length of theimage-formation lens system at the telephoto end.

[0096] When the size and cost of a three-group zoom lens of the ++− typeare reduced by, for instance, shortening the length of the zoom lens atthe telephoto end relative to the focal length, the power of each groupis likely to become strong. In favor of low cost, it is preferable thatas few lenses as possible be used. When it comes to a three-group zoomlens of ++− construction, generally, the effective diameter of the thirdlens group tends to become large. In other words, reducing the number oflenses in the third lens group is favorable for cost reductions.However, when the third lens group is composed of one negative lens, itis difficult to make sure of sufficient zoom ratios and performance,because the load to be carried by the third lens group in correction ofaberrations is all applied to the one single negative lens. When thethird lens group is composed of more than three lenses, on the otherhand, the number of lenses at a large aperture site increases, leadingto cost increases. In addition, each lens must have such thickness atthe middle and edge as needed in view of fabrication, making the thirdlens group exceedingly thick and, hence, rendering it difficult toreduce the size of the image-formation lens system itself.

[0097] In the invention, the third lens group is made up of two lenses,each of which has negative power. Size reductions cause the power of thethird lens group to become strong. If this power is shared by twonegative-power lenses, it is then possible to ensure high zoom ratiosand satisfactory performance at the same time.

[0098] Condition (10) is provided to define the air gap within the thirdlens group. As the upper limit of 2.0 to condition (10) is exceeded, theaxial air gap between the object side-negative lens and the imageside-negative lens in the third lens group becomes too narrow, renderingit difficult to make a difference between the radii of curvature of theimage side-surface of the object side-negative lens and the objectside-surface of the image side-negative lens, ending up with a failurein making sure of a certain air gap between the object side-negativelens and the image side-negative lens around their ends. Any failure inmaking a difference between the radii of curvature may possibly offsetthe ability to correct aberrations of an air lens sandwiched betweenboth lenses.

[0099] Falling short of the lower limit of 0.8 to condition (10) isunfavorable for size reductions because the third lens group becomeslarge in the optical axis direction.

[0100] Condition (5) is provided to define to what degree the size ofthe lens system is reduced when the third lens group is defined asdescribed above. As the lower limit of 0.55 is not reached, correctionof each aberration at the third lens group becomes difficult when it iscomposed of two lenses, and it is difficult to make sure of fabricationaccuracy as well. Exceeding the upper limit of 0.715, on the other hand,is favorable for performance and fabrication, but is detrimental toslimming down the image-formation lens system.

[0101] In accordance with the 18^(th) aspect of the invention, theimaging system of any one of the above 1^(st) to 5^(th), 8^(th) and9^(th) aspects is further characterized in that:

[0102] said image-formation lens system comprises, in order from anobject side thereof, a first lens group having positive power, a secondlens group having positive power and a third lens group having negativepower, wherein zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto endthereof is performed with a zoom ratio of at least 3.3 by allowing thespacing between the first lens group and the second lens group to becomewide and the spacing between the second lens group and the third lensgroup to become narrow.

[0103] In accordance with the 19^(th) aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of any one of the above 6^(th), 7^(th) and10^(th) to 13^(th) aspects is further characterized by comprising, inorder from an object side thereof, a first lens group having positivepower, a second lens group having positive power and a third lens grouphaving negative power, wherein zooming from the wide-angle end to thetelephoto end thereof is performed with a zoom ratio of at least 3.3 byallowing the spacing between the first lens group and the second lensgroup to become wide and the spacing between the second lens group andthe third lens group to become narrow.

[0104] The actions and advantages of the imaging system of the above18^(th) aspect and the image-formation lens system of the above 19^(th)aspect of the are now explained.

[0105] Such a lens group arrangement makes it easy to correct off-axisaberrations at the wide-angle end of the lens system and increase thefocal length of the zoom lens at the telephoto end. It is thuspreferable that the image-formation lens system is constructed of a lenssystem having a zoom ratio of 3.3 or more.

[0106] In accordance with the 20^(th) aspect of the invention, theimaging system of the above 3^(rd) or 4^(th) aspect is furthercharacterized in that said negative power lens group including anaspheric lens is a lens group located nearest to the image side thereof,and consists of two negative lenses.

[0107] In accordance with the 21^(st) aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of any one of the above 6^(th), 7^(th) and10^(th)-13^(th) aspects is further characterized by comprising at leastthree lens groups including a lens group having positive power and alens group having negative power wherein the spacing between adjacentlenses is varied for zooming, wherein:

[0108] at least one lens group having negative power includes saidaspheric lens, is located nearest to the image side thereof, andconsists of two negative lenses.

[0109] The actions and advantages of the imaging system according to theabove 20^(th) aspect and the image-formation lens system according tothe above 21^(st) aspect of the invention are now explained. Theaspheric surfaces are so capable of making satisfactory correction ofaxial and off-axis aberrations that the number of lenses in each lensgroup can be reduced.

[0110] In accordance with the 22^(nd) aspect of the invention, theimaging system of the above 20^(th) aspect is further characterized inthat one of said two negative lenses is a plastic aspheric lens having ad-line refracting index of up to 1.6 and the other is a glass lenshaving a d-line refractive index of at least 1.6.

[0111] In accordance with the 23^(rd) aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of the 21^(st) above aspect is furthercharacterized in that at least one of said two negative lenses is aplastic aspheric lens having a d-line refracting index of up to 1.6 andanother is a glass lens having a d-line refractive index of at least1.6.

[0112] The imaging system of the above 22^(nd) aspect and theimage-formation lens system of the above 23^(rd) aspect of the inventionare now explained.

[0113] An aspheric lens should preferably be formed of a plasticmaterial with its configuration in mind. An aspheric lens having arefracting index exceeding 1.6 must be formed of a glass material withwhich an aspheric surface is hard to obtain. In this case, it ispreferable to use Zeonex (trade name) of low hygroscopicity. Anothernegative lens in the negative lens group including an aspheric lensshould then preferably be a glass lens having a high refractive index infavor of correction of field curvature. A glass lens having a refractingindex less than 1.6 renders correction of field curvature difficult.

[0114] In accordance with the 24^(th) aspect of the invention, theimaging system of the above 5^(th) or 18^(th) aspect is furthercharacterized in that said second lens group is configured at a surfacelocated nearest to the object side in such a way as to be concave on theobject side, and comprises a doublet that consists of a positive lensand a negative lens and satisfies the following conditions:

1.85>n_(d)>1.7  (11)

60>ν_(d)>40  (12)

[0115] where n_(d) and ν_(d) are the d-line refractive index and Abbenumber of the negative lens in the doublet, respectively.

[0116] In accordance with the 25^(th) aspect of the invention, theimage-formation lens system of the above 17^(th) or 19^(th) aspect isfurther characterized in that said second lens group is configured at asurface located nearest to the object side in such a way as to beconcave on the object side, and comprises at least one doublet thatconsists of a positive lens and a negative lens and satisfies thefollowing conditions (11) and (12):

1.85>n_(d)>1.7  (11)

60>ν_(d)>40  (12)

[0117] where n_(d) and ν_(d) are the d-line refractive index and Abbenumber of the negative lens in the doublet, respectively.

[0118] The actions and advantages of the imaging system according to theabove 24^(th) aspect and the image-formation lens system according tothe above 25^(th) aspect of the invention are now explained.

[0119] With this arrangement, field curvature and chromatic aberrationsare corrected at the second lens group. By setting the refractive indexof the negative lens in the doublet a little stronger, field curvatureis corrected. As the lower limit of 1.7 to condition (11) is notreached, correction of field curvature becomes difficult, and as theupper limit of 1.85 is exceeded, lens materials cost much, renderingcost reductions difficult. Condition (12) is concerned with correctionof chromatic aberrations. As the lower limit of 40 is not reached, axialchromatic aberration at the telephoto end is likely to becomenoticeable. As the upper limit of 60 is exceeded, meanwhile, axialchromatic aberration at the wide-angle end is likely to becomenoticeable.

[0120] In accordance with the 26^(th) aspect of the invention, theimaging system of the above 5^(th), 18^(th) or 24^(th) aspect is furthercharacterized in that in said first lens group or said third lens groupthere is located a flare stop that is similar in shape to the imageplane and differs in length in long and short side directions, therebycutting off at least a part of harmful light beams in the long and shortside directions.

[0121] The actions and advantages of the above 26^(th) imaging systemaccording to the invention are now explained. As the size of the lenssystem becomes small, the air gap between the two negative lenses in thethird lens group is likely to emit ghost light at a zooming zone in thevicinity of the wide-angle to standard state. This ghost light occurs ata position remote from the optical axis of the third lens group, and iseffectively removed by configuring the stop in the third lens group to arectangular shape that can cut off non-effective light beams as much aspossible. The ghost light also passes near to the farthest off-axis siteof the first lens group, and so the use of a similar rectangular stop inthe first lens group is effective for removal of the ghost light aswell.

[0122] It is noted that the present invention may further be embodied bysuitable combinations of some of the above arrangements. For instance,if the aspheric lens recited in the third aspect of the invention isallowed to satisfy both conditions (6) and (7) recited in the 6^(th)aspect or used in combination with the arrangement recited in the17^(th) aspect of the invention, the advantages of the invention can bemore enhanced.

[0123] The advantages of the invention can be much more enhanced if thescope of each condition is defined as follows (in terms of the upper andlower limits). Condition Lower Limit Upper Limit (1) 0.08 0.19 (2) 2.02.7 (3) −4.2% 4.2% (4) 18 50 (5) 0.6 0.68 (6) 0.4 0.20 (7) 0.03 0 (8) 21mm 23 mm (9) 6.3 7.5 (10) 0.9 1.8 (11) 1.75 1.82 (12) 44 50

[0124] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in partbe obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

[0125] The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts that will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0126] FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) are illustrative in section of Example1 of the zoom lens used on the imaging system of the invention at thewide-angle end (a), in an intermediate state (b) and at the telephotoend (c), respectively, when the zoom lens is focused on an object pointat infinity.

[0127] FIGS. 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) are illustrative in section of Example2 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0128] FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) are illustrative in section of Example3 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0129] FIGS. 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) are illustrative in section of Example4 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0130] FIGS. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) are illustrative in section of Example5 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0131] FIGS. 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) are illustrative in section of Example6 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0132] FIGS. 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) are illustrative in section of Example7 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0133] FIGS. 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) are illustrative in section of Example8 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0134] FIGS. 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) are illustrative in section of Example9 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0135] FIGS. 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) are illustrative in section ofExample 10 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0136] FIGS. 11(a), 11(b) and 11(c) are illustrative in section ofExample 11 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0137] FIGS. 12(a), 12(b) and 12(c) are illustrative in section ofExample 12 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0138] FIGS. 13(a), 13(b) and 13(c) are illustrative in section ofExample 13 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0139] FIGS. 14(a), 14(b) and 14(c) are illustrative in section ofExample 14 of the zoom lens, similar to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c).

[0140] FIGS. 15(a), 15(b) and 15(c) are aberration diagrams for Example1 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0141] FIGS. 16(a), 16(b) and 16(c) are aberration diagrams for Example2 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0142] FIGS. 17(a), 17(b) and 17(c) are aberration diagrams for Example3 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0143] FIGS. 18(a), 18(b) and 18(c) are aberration diagrams for Example4 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0144] FIGS. 19(a), 19(b) and 19(c) are aberration diagrams for Example5 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0145] FIGS. 20(a), 20(b) and 20(c) are aberration diagrams for Example6 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0146] FIGS. 21(a), 21(b) and 21(c) are aberration diagrams for Example7 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0147] FIGS. 22(a), 22(b) and 22(c) are aberration diagrams for Example8 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0148] FIGS. 23(a), 23(b) and 23(c) are aberration diagrams for Example9 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0149] FIGS. 24(a), 24(b) and 24(c) are aberration diagrams for Example10 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0150] FIGS. 25(a), 25(b) and 25(c) are aberration diagrams for Example11 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0151] FIGS. 26(a), 26(b) and 26(c) are aberration diagrams for Example12 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0152] FIGS. 27(a), 27(b) and 27(c) are aberration diagrams for Example13 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0153] FIGS. 28(a), 28(b) and 28(c) are aberration diagrams for Example14 upon focused on an object point at infinity.

[0154]FIG. 29 is illustrative of the diagonal length L of an effectiveimage pickup surface that defines the maximum image height IH uponphototaking with an image pickup device.

[0155]FIG. 30 is illustrative of the diagonal length L of an effectiveimage pickup surface that defines the maximum image height IH uponphototaking using a phototaking film.

[0156] FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b) are illustrative of a compact camera towhich the image-formation lens system of the invention may be applied.

[0157]FIG. 32 is a front perspective of the outward appearance of adigital camera in which the image-formation lens system of the inventionis built.

[0158]FIG. 33 is a rear perspective of the digital camera of FIG. 32.

[0159]FIG. 34 is a sectional view of the digital camera of FIG. 32.

[0160]FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of an uncovered personalcomputer in which the image-formation lens system of the presentinvention is built as an objective optical system.

[0161]FIG. 36 is a sectional view of a phototaking optical system for apersonal computer.

[0162]FIG. 37 is a side view of the state of FIG. 35.

[0163] FIGS. 38(a) and 38(b) are a front and a side view of a cellularphone in which the image-formation lens system of the invention is builtas an objective optical system, and FIG. 38(c) is a sectional view of aphototaking optical system for the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0164] The zoom lens used on the imaging system of the invention is nowexplained with reference to Examples 1 to 14. FIGS. 1 to 14 areillustrative in section of the lens arrangements of Examples 1 to 14 atthe wide-angle end (a), in an intermediate state (b) and at thetelephoto end (c) upon focused on an object point at infinity. In thesefigures, G1 represents a first lens group, S a stop, G2 a second lensgroup, G3 a third lens group, FS a flare stop, F a filter such as aninfrared cut absorption filter and a low-pass filter, CG a cover glassfor an electronic image pickup device, and I an image plane.

[0165] Example 1 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 1,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists up of a negative meniscus lens convex on its object side and apositive meniscus lens convex on its object side, a second lens group G2that has positive refracting power and consists of a doublet made of adouble-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens, anaperture stop S, a flare stop FS, a positive meniscus lens convex on itsimage plane side and a double-convex positive lens and a third lensgroup G3 that has negative refracting power and consists of a negativemeniscus lens convex on its image side and a double-concave negativelens. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, all thelens groups move toward the object side while the spacing between thefirst lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 becomes wide and thespacing between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3becomes narrow.

[0166] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thepositive meniscus lens in the second lens group G2 and two at bothsurfaces of the negative meniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0167] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0168] Example 2 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 2,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its object side and apositive meniscus lens convex on its object side, a second lens group G2that has positive refracting power and consists of a doublet made up ofa double-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens, anaperture stop S, a flare stop FS, a positive meniscus lens convex on itsimage plane side and a double-convex positive lens and a third lensgroup G3 that has negative refracting power and consists of a negativemeniscus lens convex on its image plane side and a double-concavenegative lens. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephotoend, all the lens groups move toward the object side while the spacingbetween the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 becomeswide and the spacing between the second lens group G2 and the third lensgroup G3 becomes narrow.

[0169] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thepositive meniscus lens in the second lens group G2 and two at bothsurfaces of the negative meniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0170] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0171] Example 3 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 3,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side anda double-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a negative meniscuslens convex on its image plane side, a doublet made up of adouble-convex positive lens and a double-concave negative lens and adouble-convex positive lens and a third lens group G3 that has negativerefracting power and consists of a negative meniscus lens convex on itsimage plane side and a negative meniscus lens convex on its image planeside. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, all thelens groups move toward the object side while the spacing between thefirst lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 becomes wide and thespacing between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3becomes narrow.

[0172] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thedouble-convex positive lens located nearest to the image plane side ofthe second lens group G2 and two at both surfaces of the object-sidenegative meniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0173] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0174] Example 4 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 4,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side anda double-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a double-concavenegative lens, a doublet made up of a double-convex positive lens and adouble-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens and athird lens group G3 that has negative refracting power and consists of anegative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side and a negativemeniscus lens convex on its image plane side. Upon zooming from thewide-angle end to the telephoto end, all the lens groups move toward theobject side while the spacing between the first lens group G1 and thesecond lens group G2 becomes wide and the spacing between the secondlens group G2 and the third lens group G3 becomes narrow.

[0175] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thedouble-convex positive lens located nearest to the image plane side ofthe second lens group G2 and two at both surfaces of the object-sidenegative meniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0176] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0177] Example 5 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 5,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side anda double-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a negative meniscuslens convex on its image plane side, a doublet made up of adouble-convex positive lens and a double-concave negative lens and adouble-convex positive lens and a third lens group G3 that has negativerefracting power and consists of a negative meniscus lens convex on itsimage plane side and a double-concave negative lens. Upon zooming fromthe wide-angle end to the telephoto end, all the lens groups move towardthe object side while the spacing between the first lens group G1 andthe second lens group G2 becomes wide and the spacing between the secondlens group G2 and the third lens group G3 becomes narrow.

[0178] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thedouble-convex positive lens located nearest to the image plane side ofthe second lens group G2 and two at both surfaces of the negativemeniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0179] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0180] Example 6 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 6,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side anda double-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a doublet made upof a double-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens, adouble-convex positive lens and a positive meniscus lens convex on itsimage plane side and a third lens group G3 that has negative refractingpower and consists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image planeside and a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side. Uponzooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, all the lensgroups move toward the object side while the spacing between the firstlens group G1 and the second lens group G2 becomes wide and the spacingbetween the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 becomesnarrow.

[0181] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thepositive meniscus lens located nearest to the image plane side of thesecond lens group G2 and two at both surfaces of the objectside-negative meniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0182] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0183] Example 7 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 7,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side anda double-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a doublet made upof a double-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens, apositive meniscus lens convex on its object side and a positive meniscuslens convex on its image plane side and a third lens group G3 that hasnegative refracting power and consists of a negative meniscus lensconvex on its image plane side and a negative meniscus lens convex onits image plane side. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to thetelephoto end, all the lens groups move toward the object side while thespacing between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2becomes wide and the spacing between the second lens group G2 and thethird lens group G3 becomes narrow.

[0184] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thepositive meniscus lens convex on its object side in the second lensgroup G2 and two at both surfaces of the object side-negative meniscuslens in the third lens group G3.

[0185] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0186] Example 8 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 8,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side anda double-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a doublet made upof a double-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens, adoublet made up of a double-convex positive lens and a negative meniscuslens convex on its image plane side and a third lens group G3 that hasnegative refracting power and consists of a negative meniscus lensconvex on its image plane side and a double-concave negative lens. Uponzooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, all the lensgroups move toward the object side while the spacing between the firstlens group G1 and the second lens group G2 becomes wide and the spacingbetween the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 becomesnarrow.

[0187] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thepositive meniscus lens located nearest to the image plane side of thesecond lens group G2 and two at both surfaces of the negative meniscuslens in the third lens group G3.

[0188] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0189] Example 9 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 9,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side anda double-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a double-concavenegative lens, a doublet made up of a double-convex positive lens and adouble-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens and athird lens group G3 that has negative refracting power and consists of anegative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side and adouble-concave negative lens. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end tothe telephoto end, all the lens groups move toward the object side whilethe spacing between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2becomes wide and the spacing between the second lens group G2 and thethird lens group G3 becomes narrow.

[0190] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thedouble-convex positive lens located nearest to the image plane side ofthe second lens group G2 and two at both surfaces of the negativemeniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0191] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0192] Example 10 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 10,a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power and consists ofa negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side and adouble-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a negative meniscuslens convex on its image plane side, a doublet made up of adouble-convex positive lens and a double-concave negative lens and adouble-convex positive lens and a third lens group G3 that has negativerefracting power and consists of a negative meniscus lens convex on itsimage plane side and a negative meniscus lens convex on its image planeside. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, all thelens groups move toward the object side while the spacing between thefirst lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 becomes wide and thespacing between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3becomes narrow.

[0193] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thedouble-convex positive lens located nearest to the image plane side ofthe second lens group G2 and two at both surfaces of the objectside-negative meniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0194] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0195] Example 11 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 11,consists of a first lens group G1 that has positive refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its image plane side anda double-convex positive lens, a second lens group G2 that has positiverefracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a negative meniscuslens convex on its image plane side, a doublet made up of adouble-convex positive lens and a double-concave negative lens and adouble-convex positive lens and a third lens group G3 that has negativerefracting power and consists of a negative meniscus lens convex on itsimage plane side and a double-concave negative lens. Upon zooming fromthe wide-angle end to the telephoto end, all the lens groups move towardthe object side while the spacing between the first lens group G1 andthe second lens group G2 becomes wide and the spacing between the secondlens group G2 and the third lens group G3 becomes narrow.

[0196] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thedouble-convex positive lens located nearest to the image plane side ofthe second lens group G2 and two at both surfaces of the negativemeniscus lens in the third lens group G3.

[0197] The lens on the object side of the third lens group G3 is aplastic lens.

[0198] Example 12 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 12,consists of a first lens group G1 that has negative refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its object side and apositive meniscus lens convex on its object side, a second lens group G2that has positive refracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, adouble-convex positive lens, a doublet made up of a double-convexpositive lens and a double-concave negative lens and a positive meniscuslens convex on its object side and a third lens group G3 that haspositive refracting power and consists of one double-convex positivelens. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, thefirst lens group G1 moves toward the object side in a concave locus,arriving at a position closer to the image plane side at the telephotoend than at the wide-angle end. The second lens group G2 movesmonotonously toward the object side while the third lens group G3 movesslightly toward the image plane side.

[0199] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thepositive meniscus lens in the first lens group G1 and two at bothsurfaces of the double-convex positive lens located nearest to theobject side of the second lens group G2.

[0200] No plastic lens is used.

[0201] Example 13 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 13,consists of a first lens group G1 that has negative refracting power andconsists of a negative meniscus lens convex on its object side and apositive meniscus lens convex on its object side, a second lens group G2that has positive refracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, apositive meniscus lens convex on its object side, a doublet made up of adouble-convex positive lens and a double-concave negative lens and apositive meniscus lens convex on its object side and a third lens groupG3 that has positive refracting power and consists of one double-convexpositive lens. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephotoend, the first lens group G1 moves toward the object side in a concavelocus, arriving at a position closer to the image plane side at thetelephoto end than at the wide-angle end. The second lens group G2 movesmonotonously toward the object side, while the third lens group G3 movestoward the image plane side in a concave locus, arriving at a positioncloser to the image plane side at the telephoto end than at thewide-angle end.

[0202] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thepositive meniscus lens in the first lens group G1 and two at bothsurfaces of the positive meniscus lens located nearest to the objectside of the second lens group G2.

[0203] No plastic lens is used.

[0204] Example 14 is directed to a zoom lens that, as shown in FIG. 14,a first lens group G1 that has negative refracting power and consists ofa negative meniscus lens convex on its object side and a positivemeniscus lens convex on its object side, a second lens group G2 that haspositive refracting power and consists of an aperture stop S, a positivemeniscus lens convex on its object side, a doublet made up of adouble-convex positive lens and a double-concave negative lens and apositive meniscus lens convex on its object side and a third lens groupG3 that has positive refracting power and consists of one positivemeniscus lens convex on its image plane side. Upon zooming from thewide-angle end to the telephoto end of the zoom lens, the first lensgroup G1 moves toward the object side in a concave locus, arriving at aposition closer to the image plane side at the telephoto end than at thewide-angle end. The second lens group G2 moves monotonously toward theobject side while the third lens group G3 moves toward the image planeside.

[0205] Four aspheric surfaces are used; two at both surfaces of thepositive meniscus lens in the first lens group G1 and two at bothsurfaces of the positive meniscus lens located nearest to the objectside of the second lens group G2.

[0206] The lens on the image plane side of the first lens group G1 is aplastic lens.

[0207] The numerical data on each example are given below. Symbols usedhereinafter but not hereinbefore have the following meanings:

[0208] f: focal length of the lens system,

[0209] F_(NO): F-number,

[0210] ω: half angle of view,

[0211] WE: wide-angle end,

[0212] ST: intermediate state,

[0213] TE: telephoto end,

[0214] r₁, r₂, . . . : radius of curvature of each lens surface,

[0215] d₁, d₂, . . . : spacing between adjacent lens surfaces,

[0216] n_(d1), n_(d2), . . . : d-line refractive index of each lens,

[0217] n_(g1), n_(g2), . . . : g-line refractive index of each lens, and

[0218] ν_(d1), ν_(d2), . . . : Abbe number of each lens.

[0219] Here let x be an optical axis on condition that the direction ofpropagation of light is positive and y be a direction perpendicular tothe optical axis. Then, aspheric configuration is given by

x=(y ² /r)/[1+{1−(K+1)(y/r)²}^(1/2) ]+A ₄ y ⁴ +A ₆ y ⁶ +A ₈ y ⁸ +A ₁₀ y¹⁰

[0220] where r is a paraxial radius of curvature, K is a conicalcoefficient, and A₄, A₆, A₈ and A₁₀ are the fourth, sixth, eighth andtenth aspheric coefficients, respectively.

EXAMPLE 1

[0221] r₁ = 16.880 d₁ = 1.10 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) = 1.89418 ν_(d1) =23.78 r₂ = 13.182 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 13.435 d₃ = 3.51 n_(d2) = 1.49700n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = 126.489 d₄ = (Variable) r₅ =−17.625 d₅ = 0.90 n_(d3) = 1.78590 n_(g3) = 1.80837 ν_(d3) = 44.20 r₆ =11.758 d₆ = 2.84 n_(d4) = 1.62004 n_(g4) = 1.64217 ν_(d4) = 36.26 r₇ =−15.495 d₇ = 0.90 r₈ = ∞ (Stop) d₈ = 3.55 r₉ = ∞ (Flare Stop) d₉ = 3.45r₁₀ = −81.821 (Aspheric) d₁₀ = 1.71 n_(d5) = 1.52542 n_(g5) = 1.53705ν_(d5) = 55.78 r₁₁ = −48.483 (Aspheric) d₁₁ = 2.37 r₁₂ = 27.481 d₁₂ =3.85 n_(d6) = 1.48749 n_(g6) = 1.49596 ν_(d6) = 70.23 r₁₃ = −21.524 d₁₃= (Variable) r₁₄ = −11.581 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 2.19 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7)= 1.53705 ν_(d7) = 55.78 r₁₅ = −12.965 (Aspheric) d₁₅ = 0.65 r₁₆ =−12.066 d₁₆ = 1.50 n_(d8) = 1.75500 n_(g8) = 1.77296 ν_(d8) = 52.32 r₁₇= 309.603 d₁₇ = (Variable) r₁₈ = ∞

[0222] (Image Plane)

[0223] Aspherical Coefficients

[0224] 10th surface

[0225] K=0.000

[0226] A₄=2.67741×10⁻⁴

[0227] A₆=8.94559×10⁻⁷

[0228] A₈=−1.35793×10⁻⁸

[0229] A₁₀=−6.37372×10⁻¹⁰

[0230] 11th surface

[0231] K=0.000

[0232] A₄=2.58526×10⁻⁴

[0233] A₆=−1.09349×10⁻⁶

[0234] A₈=7.95652×10⁻⁸

[0235] A₁₀=−1.49718×10⁻⁹

[0236] 14th surface

[0237] K=0.000

[0238] A₄=4.06502×10⁻⁴

[0239] A₆=−7.36202×10⁻⁶

[0240] A₈=6.46768×10⁻⁸

[0241] A₁₀=−9.84586×10⁻¹⁰

[0242] 15th surface

[0243] K=0.000

[0244] A₄=2.48480×10⁻⁴

[0245] A₆=−5.57358×10⁻⁶

[0246] A₈=2.92518×10⁻⁸

[0247] A₁₀=2.76088×10⁻¹¹

[0248] Zooming Data (∞) Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 39.341 102.006144.956 F_(NO) 6.06 10.20 13.36 ω (°) 28.101 11.633 8.297 d₄ 3.00 13.6215.87 d₁₃ 11.33 4.11 2.22 d₁₇ 7.81 32.24 48.50

EXAMPLE 2

[0249] r₁ = 16.918 d₁ = 1.10 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) = 1.89418 ν_(d1) =23.78 r₂ = 13.132 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 13.355 d₃ = 3.51 n_(d2) = 1.49700n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = 132.316 d₄ = (Variable) r₅ =−17.623 d₅ = 0.90 n_(d3) = 1.78590 n_(g3) = 1.80837 ν_(d3) = 44.20 r₆ =11.833 d₆ = 2.84 n_(d4) = 1.62004 n_(g4) = 1.64217 ν_(d4) = 36.26 r₇ =−15.558 d₇ = 0.90 r₈ = ∞ (Stop) d₈ = 3.56 r₉ = ∞ (Flare Stop) d₉ = 3.45r₁₀ = −81.815 (Aspheric) d₁₀ = 1.71 n_(d5) = 1.52542 n_(g5) = 1.53705ν_(d5) = 55.78 r₁₁ = −48.532 (Aspheric) d₁₁ = 2.37 r₁₂ = 27.445 d₁₂ =3.85 n_(d6) = 1.48749 n_(g6) = 1.49596 ν_(d6) = 70.23 r₁₃ = −21.433 d₁₃= (Variable) r₁₄ = −11.632 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 2.19 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7)= 1.53705 ν_(d7) = 55.78 r₁₅ = −12.926 (Aspheric) d₁₅ = 0.65 r₁₆ =−12.196 d₁₆ = 1.50 n_(d8) = 1.77250 n_(g8) = 1.79197 ν_(d8) = 49.60 r₁₇= 381.564 d₁₇ = (Variable) r₁₈ = ∞

[0250] (Image Plane)

[0251] Aspherical Coefficients

[0252] 10th surface

[0253] K=0.000

[0254] A₄=2.74110×10⁻⁴

[0255] A₆=1.39568×10⁻⁶

[0256] A₈=4.03763×10⁻⁸

[0257] A₁₀=−2.2392×10⁻⁹

[0258] 11th surface

[0259] K=0.000

[0260] A₄=2.62578×10⁻⁴

[0261] A₆=−1.36142×10⁻⁸

[0262] A₈=8.34257×10⁻⁸

[0263] A₁₀=−1.93909×10⁻⁹

[0264] 14th surface

[0265] K=0.000

[0266] A₄=3.50621×10⁻⁴

[0267] A₆=−5.63426×10⁻⁶

[0268] A₈=5.37895×10⁻⁸

[0269] A₁₀=−1.05540×10⁻¹⁰

[0270] 15th surface

[0271] K=0.000

[0272] A₄=2.02303×10⁻⁴

[0273] A₆=−4.55680×10⁻⁶

[0274] A₈=2.86169×10⁻⁸

[0275] A₁₀=−1.31936×10⁻¹¹

[0276] Zooming Data (∞) Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 39.316 101.889144.834 F_(NO) 6.08 10.19 13.35 ω (°) 28.183 11.655 8.31 d₄ 2.84 13.6215.87 d₁₃ 11.33 4.11 2.22 d₁₇ 7.92 32.24 48.52

EXAMPLE 3

[0277] r₁ = −23.270 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) = 1.89418 ν_(d1) =23.78 r₂ = −30.392 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 22.651 d₃ = 3.32 n_(d2) = 1.49700n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −111.105 d₄ = (Variable) r₅ = ∞(Stop) d₅ = 1.61 r₆ = −28.916 d₆ = 1.10 n_(d3) = 1.84666 n_(g3) =1.89418 ν_(d3) = 23.78 r₇ = −1917.404 d₇ = 0.54 r₈ = 27.241 d₈ = 3.34n_(d4) = 1.62588 n_(g4) = 1.64861 ν_(d4) = 35.70 r₉ = −6.497 d₉ = 1.10n_(d5) = 1.78800 n_(g5) = 1.80888 ν_(d5) = 47.37 r₁₀ = 41.867 d₁₀ = 0.40r₁₁ = 28.000 (Aspheric) d₁₁ = 3.47 n_(d6) = 1.58313 n_(g6) = 1.59530ν_(d6) = 59.38 r₁₂ = −10.397 (Aspheric) d₁₂ = (Variable) r₁₃ = −62.176(Aspheric) d₁₃ = 3.10 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7) = 1.53705 ν_(d7) = 55.78r₁₄ = −104.442 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 2.54 r₁₅ = −11.000 d₁₅ = 1.50 n_(d8) =1.77250 n_(g8) = 1.79197 ν_(d8) = 49.60 r₁₆ = −644.993 d₁₆ = (Variable)r₁₇ = ∞

[0278] (Image Plane)

[0279] Aspherical Coefficients

[0280] 11th surface

[0281] K=0.000

[0282] A₄=−3.55187×10⁻⁵

[0283] A₆=1.71517×10⁻⁶

[0284] A₈=−3.69501×10⁻⁸

[0285] A₁₀=4.85472×10⁻⁹

[0286] 12th surface

[0287] K=0.000

[0288] A₄=6.82308×10⁻⁵

[0289] A₆=2.47951×10⁻⁶

[0290] A₈=−1.46156×10⁻⁷

[0291] A₁₀=6.02160×10⁻⁹

[0292] 13th surface

[0293] K=0.000

[0294] A₄=−3.09657×10⁻⁵

[0295] A₆=−1.40319×10⁻⁶

[0296] A₈=−9.80829×10⁻⁹

[0297] A₁₀=1.77581×10⁻¹⁰

[0298] 14th surface

[0299] K=0.000

[0300] A₄=−1.66743×10⁻⁴

[0301] A₆=−1.34209×10⁻⁶

[0302] A₈=−5.80797×10⁻⁹

[0303] A₁₀=−1.58937×10⁻¹²

[0304] Zooming Data (∞) Zoomimg Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 38.818 75.500144.801 F_(NO) 6.00 9.00 13.20 ω (°) 28.3 15.49 8.37 d₄ 5.23 12.70 19.45d₁₂ 10.24 5.28 1.50 d₁₆ 8.12 24.51 51.53

EXAMPLE 4

[0305] r₁ = −22.735 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) = 1.89418 ν_(d1) =23.78 r₂ = −29.696 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 20.526 d₃ = 2.86 n_(d2) = 1.49700n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −160.870 d₄ = (Variable) r₅ = ∞(Stop) d₅ = 1.20 r₆ = −39.947 d₆ = 1.50 n_(d3) = 1.84700 n_(g3) =1.89398 ν_(d3) = 24.00 r₇ = 90.660 d₇ = 0.85 r₈ = 21.490 d₈ = 3.21n_(d4) = 1.62465 n_(g4) = 1.64762 ν_(d4) = 35.27 r₉ = −7.035 d₉ = 1.30n_(d5) = 1.78800 n_(g5) = 1.80886 ν_(d5) = 47.40 r₁₀ = 58.357 d₁₀ = 0.30r₁₁ = 31.580 (Aspheric) d₁₁ = 4.09 n_(d6) = 1.58313 n_(g6) = 1.59530ν_(d6) = 59.38 r₁₂ = −12.658 (Aspheric) d₁₂ = (Variable) r₁₃ = −73.554(Aspheric) d₁₃ = 3.30 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7) = 1.53705 ν_(d7) = 55.78r₁₄ = −140.034 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 2.65 r₁₅ = −11.000 d₁₅ = 1.50 n_(d8) =1.77250 n_(g8) = 1.79197 ν_(d8) = 49.60 r₁₆ = −376.267 d₁₆ = (Variable)r₁₇ = ∞

[0306] (Image Plane)

[0307] Aspherical Coefficients

[0308] 11th surface

[0309] K=0.000

[0310] A₄=9.61776×10⁻⁵

[0311] A₆=1.23651×10⁻⁶

[0312] A₈=2.19185×10⁻⁷

[0313] A₁₀=−2.80117×10⁻⁹

[0314] 12th surface

[0315] K=0.000

[0316] A₄=1.33994×10⁻⁴

[0317] A₆=2.56838×10⁻⁶

[0318] A₈=3.23412×10⁻⁸

[0319] A₁₀=2.45567×10⁻⁹

[0320] 13th surface

[0321] K=0.000

[0322] A₄=−1.39757×10⁻⁴

[0323] A₆=−9.84806×10⁻⁷

[0324] A₈=2.88374×10⁻⁸

[0325] A₁₀=−1.20626×10⁻¹⁰

[0326] 14th surface

[0327] K=0.000

[0328] A₄=−2.86007×10⁻⁴

[0329] A₆=−6.72151×10⁻⁷

[0330] A₈=7.73451×10⁻⁹

[0331] A₁₀=−6.20535×10⁻¹¹

[0332] Zooming Data (∞) Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 39.300 75.499144.897 F_(NO) 6.21 9.14 13.22 ω (°) 28.01 15.594 8.4 d₄ 3.97 10.4617.45 d₁₂ 10.29 5.26 1.20 d₁₆ 8.00 24.74 52.20

EXAMPLE 5

[0333] r₁ = −21.913 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) = 1.89418 ν_(d1) =23.78 r₂ = −29.024 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 22.304 d₃ = 3.49 n_(d2) = 1.49700n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −82.843 d₄ = (Variable) r₅ = ∞(Stop) d₅ = 1.16 r₆ = −35.819 d₆ = 1.10 n_(d3) = 1.84666 n_(g3) =1.89418 ν_(d3) = 23.78 r₇ = −205.156 d₇ = 0.55 r₈ = 40.180 d₈ = 3.48n_(d4) = 1.61293 n_(g4) = 1.63434 ν_(d4) = 37.00 r₉ = −5.998 d₉ = 1.10n_(d5) = 1.78800 n_(g5) = 1.80888 ν_(d5) = 47.37 r₁₀ = 33.460 d₁₀ = 0.44r₁₁ = 26.158 (Aspheric) d₁₁ = 3.80 n_(d6) = 1.58313 n_(g6) = 1.59530ν_(d6) = 59.38 r₁₂ = −9.658 (Aspheric) d₁₂ = (Variable) r₁₃ = −53.278(Aspheric) d₁₃ = 3.30 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7) = 1.53705 ν_(d7) = 55.78r₁₄ = −82.182 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 2.50 r₁₅ = −11.000 d₁₅ = 1.50 n_(d8) =1.77250 n_(g8) = 1.79197 ν_(d8) = 49.60 r₁₆ = 5177.747 d₁₆ = (Variable)r₁₇ = ∞

[0334] (Image Plane)

[0335] Aspherical Coefficients

[0336] 11th surface

[0337] K=0.000

[0338] A₄=−9.45451×10⁻⁵

[0339] A₆=2.27760×10⁻⁶

[0340] A₈=−1.17696×10⁻⁹

[0341] A₁₀=1.93175×10⁻⁹

[0342] 12th surface

[0343] K=0.000

[0344] A₄=2.00136×10⁻⁵

[0345] A₆=2.34827×10⁻⁶

[0346] A₈=−1.32890×10⁻⁷

[0347] A₁₀=4.70455×10⁻⁹

[0348] 13th surface

[0349] K=0.000

[0350] A₄=1.68265×10⁻⁵

[0351] A₆=−4.31675×10⁻⁶

[0352] A₈=5.16556×10⁻⁸

[0353] A₁₀=−1.85108×10⁻¹⁰

[0354] 14th surface

[0355] K=0.000

[0356] A₄=−1.06547×10⁻⁴

[0357] A₆=−4.35529×10⁻⁶

[0358] A₈=4.02358×10⁻⁸

[0359] A₁₀=−2.04606×10⁻¹⁰

[0360] Zooming Data (∞) Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 38.818 75.510144.789 F_(NO) 5.99 8.91 12.86 ω (°) 28.3 15.48 8.35 d₄ 5.13 12.92 18.30d₁₂ 10.28 5.20 1.63 d₁₆ 8.00 23.65 51.25

EXAMPLE 6

[0361] EXAMPLE 6 r₁ = −19.527 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) =1.89418 ν_(d1) = 23.78 r₂ = −25.488 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 25.352 d₃ = 3.07n_(d2) = 1.49700 n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −53.720 d₄ =(Variable) r₅ = ∞ (Stop) d₅ = 1.20 r₆ = −18.800 d₆ = 1.00 n_(d3) =1.80610 n_(g3) = 1.83117 ν_(d3) = 40.92 r₇ = 8.751 d₇ = 1.99 n_(d4) =1.62004 n_(g4) = 1.64217 ν_(d4) = 36.26 r₈ = 89.311 d₈ = 0.50 r₉ =10.487 d₉ = 2.80 n_(d5) = 1.54814 n_(g5) = 1.56335 ν_(d5) = 45.79 r₁₀ =−38.503 d₁₀ = 0.76 r₁₁ = −136.104 (Aspheric) d₁₁ = 2.07 n_(d6) = 1.58313n_(g6) = 1.59530 ν_(d6) = 59.38 r₁₂ = −21.007 (Aspheric) d₁₂ =(Variable) r₁₃ = −44.573 (Aspheric) d₁₃ = 2.50 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7) =1.53705 ν_(d7) = 55.78 r₁₄ = −57.663 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 2.68 r₁₅ = −11.167d₁₅ = 1.50 n_(d8) = 1.77250 n_(g8) = 1.79197 ν_(d8) = 49.60 r₁₆ =−190.231 d₁₆ = (Variable) r₁₇ = ∞

[0362] (Image Plane)

[0363] Aspherical Coefficients

[0364] 11th surface

[0365] K=0.000

[0366] A₄=2.29392×10⁻⁴

[0367] A₆=5.36754×10⁻⁶

[0368] A₈=4.12089×10⁻⁷

[0369] A₁₀=−7.80776×10⁻⁹

[0370] 12th surface

[0371] K=0.000

[0372] A₄=4.39654×10⁻⁴

[0373] A₆=5.73833×10⁻⁶

[0374] A₈=4.82773×10⁻⁷

[0375] A₁₀=−2.32232×10⁻⁹

[0376] 13th surface

[0377] K=0.000

[0378] A₄=−4.89087×10⁻⁵

[0379] A₆=−3.99395×10⁻⁶

[0380] A₈=7.75429×10⁻⁸

[0381] A₁₀=−3.04718×10⁻¹⁰

[0382] 14th surface

[0383] K=0.000

[0384] A₄=−1.67127×10⁻⁴

[0385] A₆=−3.42909×10⁻⁶

[0386] A₈=3.93583×10⁻⁸

[0387] A₁₀=−8.84275×10⁻¹¹

[0388] Zooming Data (∞) Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 39.300 75.500145.000 F_(NO) 6.00 9.62 13.46 ω (°) 28 15.54 8.34 d₄ 5.00 12.36 22.27d₁₂ 12.31 6.70 1.20 d₁₆ 8.01 24.82 49.06

EXAMPLE 7

[0389] EXAMPLE 7 r₁ = −18.480 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) =1.89418 ν_(d1) = 23.78 r₂ = −24.497 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 22.917 d₃ = 4.04n_(d2) = 1.49700 n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −49.504 d₄ =(Variable) r₅ = ∞ (Stop) d₅ = 1.20 r₆ = −23.414 d₆ = 1.00 n_(d3) =1.80610 n_(g3) = 1.83117 ν_(d3) = 40.92 r₇ = 7.144 d₇ = 2.18 n_(d4) =1.62004 n_(g4) = 1.64217 ν_(d4) = 36.26 r₈ = −45.233 d₈ = 0.50 r₉ =10.841 (Aspheric) d₉ = 2.50 n_(d5) = 1.58313 n_(g5) = 1.59530 ν_(d5) =59.38 r₁₀ = 26.817 (Aspheric) d₁₀ = 1.52 r₁₁ = −42.009 d₁₁ = 3.09 n_(d6)= 1.54072 n_(g6) = 1.55521 ν_(d6) = 47.23 r₁₂ = −10.509 d₁₂ = (Variable)r₁₃ = −23.667 (Aspheric) d₁₃ = 2.50 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7) = 1.53705ν_(d7) = 55.78 r₁₄ = −27.641 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 2.50 r₁₅ = −10.189 d₁₅ =1.50 n_(d8) = 1.78800 n_(g8) = 1.80888 ν_(d8) = 47.37 r₁₆ = −167.910 d₁₆= (Variable) r₁₇ = ∞

[0390] (Image Plane)

[0391] Aspherical Coefficients

[0392] 9th surface

[0393] K=0.000

[0394] A₄=3.38358×10⁻⁴

[0395] A₆=2.38063×10⁻⁶

[0396] A₈=−4.04123×10⁻⁸

[0397] A₁₀=6.37361×10⁻⁹

[0398] 10th surface

[0399] K=0.000

[0400] A₄=5.61368×10⁻⁴

[0401] A₆=6.64717×10⁻⁶

[0402] A₈=−2.28781×10⁻⁷

[0403] A₁₀=1.53151×10⁻⁸

[0404] 13th surface

[0405] K=−3.341

[0406] A₄=−9.45199×10⁻⁶

[0407] A₆=−1.85763×10⁻⁶

[0408] A₈=3.83692×10⁻⁸

[0409] A₁₀=−8.96675×10⁻¹¹

[0410] 14th surface

[0411] K=0.000

[0412] A₄=−1.27830×10⁻⁴

[0413] A₆=−2.88552×10⁻⁶

[0414] A₈=2.81282×10⁻⁸

[0415] A₁₀=−7.02507×10⁻¹¹

[0416] Zooming Data (∞) Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 39.300 75.500145.000 F_(NO) 6.20 9.10 13.45 ω (°) 28 15.58 8.36 d₄ 5.00 11.30 17.23d₁₂ 9.68 4.98 1.20 d₁₆ 8.53 24.65 51.66

EXAMPLE 8

[0417] EXAMPLE 8 r₁ = −22.112 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) =1.89418 ν_(d1) = 23.78 r₂ = −28.788 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 20.896 d₃ = 3.69n_(d2) = 1.49700 n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −114.716 d₄ =(Variable) r₅ = ∞ (Stop) d₅ = 1.26 r₆ = −22.657 d₆ = 1.00 n_(d3) =1.80610 n_(g3) = 1.83117 ν_(d3) = 40.92 r₇ = 16.080 d₇ = 1.83 n_(d4) =1.56384 n_(g4) = 1.57532 ν_(d4) = 60.67 r₈ = −75.029 d₈ = 0.30 r₉ =17.476 d₉ = 4.62 n_(d5) = 1.58144 n_(g5) = 1.59973 ν_(d5) = 40.75 r₁₀ =−6.979 d₁₀ = 1.30 n_(d6) = 1.77250 n_(g6) = 1.79197 ν_(d6) = 49.60 r₁₁ =−28.094 d₁₁ = 0.30 r₁₂ = −51.912 (Aspheric) d₁₂ = 2.00 n_(d7) = 1.58313n_(g7) = 1.59530 ν_(d7) = 59.38 r₁₃ = −13.146 (Aspheric) d₁₃ =(Variable) r₁₄ = −126.065 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 3.32 n_(d8) = 1.52542 n_(g8)= 1.53705 ν_(d8) = 55.78 r₁₅ = −635.196 (Aspheric) d₁₅ = 2.84 r₁₆ =−11.000 d₁₆ = 1.50 n_(d9) = 1.77250 n_(g9) = 1.79197 ν_(d9) = 49.60 r₁₇= 758.499 d₁₇ = (Variable) r₁₈ = ∞

[0418] (Image Plane)

[0419] Aspherical Coefficients

[0420] 12th surface

[0421] K=0.000

[0422] A₄=1.56036×10⁻⁴

[0423] A₆=9.55751×10⁻⁶

[0424] A₈=1.90051×10⁻⁷

[0425] A₁₀=−2.51432×10⁻¹³

[0426] 13th surface

[0427] K=0.000

[0428] A₄=1.73456×10⁻⁴

[0429] A₆=1.05058×10⁻⁵

[0430] A₈=−1.61415×10⁻³

[0431] A₁₀=7.62286×10⁻⁹

[0432] 14th surface

[0433] K=0.000

[0434] A₄=−9.31141×10⁻⁵

[0435] A₆=−1.96883×10⁻⁶

[0436] A₈=3.73479×10⁻⁸

[0437] A₁₀=−1.41308×10⁻¹⁰

[0438] 15th surface

[0439] K=0.000

[0440] A₄=−2.24116×10⁻⁴

[0441] A₆=−2.79833×10⁻⁶

[0442] A₈=3.35837×10⁻⁸

[0443] A₁₀=−1.77883×10⁻¹⁰

[0444] Zooming Data (∞) Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 39.283 75.456144.797 F_(NO) 6.00 8.80 13.00 ω (°) 28.02 15.52 8.36 d₄ 4.38 12.0317.30 d₁₃ 10.51 5.26 1.50 d₁₇ 7.70 22.73 49.86

EXAMPLE 9

[0445] EXAMPLE 9 r₁ = −22.189 d₁ = 1.21 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) =1.89418 ν_(d1) = 23.78 r₂ = −28.872 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 19.699 d₃ = 3.46n_(d2) = 1.49700 n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −162.696 d₄ =(Variable) r₅ = ∞ (Stop) d₅ = 1.13 r₆ = −40.586 d₆ = 1.03 n_(d3) =1.84666 n_(g3) = 1.89418 ν_(d3) = 23.78 r₇ = 404.938 d₇ = 0.87 r₈ =24.288 d₈ = 3.48 n_(d4) = 1.61293 n_(g4) = 1.63434 ν_(d4) = 37.00 r₉ =−5.886 d₉ = 1.05 n_(d5) = 1.78800 n_(g5) = 1.80888 ν_(d5) = 47.37 r₁₀ =19.197 d₁₀ = 0.34 r₁₁ = 19.093 (Aspheric) d₁₁ = 4.03 n_(d6) = 1.58313n_(g6) = 1.59530 ν_(d6) = 59.38 r₁₂ = −9.247 (Aspheric) d₁₂ = (Variable)r₁₃ = −55.427 (Aspheric) d₁₃ = 3.31 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7) = 1.53705ν_(d7) = 55.78 r₁₄ = −88.668 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 1.98 r₁₅ = −10.996 d₁₅ =1.50 n_(d8) = 1.74100 n_(g8) = 1.75850 ν_(d8) = 52.64 r₁₆ = 174.539 d₁₆= (Variable) r₁₇ = ∞

[0446] (Image Plane)

[0447] Aspherical Coefficients

[0448] 11th surface

[0449] K=0.000

[0450] A₄=−1.16096×10⁻⁴

[0451] A₆=4.39890×10⁻⁶

[0452] A₈=0

[0453] A₁₀=0

[0454] 12th surface

[0455] K=0.000

[0456] A₄=−5.32787×10⁻⁵

[0457] A₆=4.60212×10⁻⁶

[0458] A₈=−1.77226×10⁻⁷

[0459] A₁₀=5.08633×10⁻⁹

[0460] 13th surface

[0461] K=0.000

[0462] A₄=−9.17149×10⁻¹

[0463] A₆=−1.89922×10⁻⁶

[0464] A₈=4.63745×10⁻⁸

[0465] A₁₀=−3.42772×10⁻¹⁰

[0466] 14th surface

[0467] K=0.000

[0468] A₄=−2.22227×10⁻⁴

[0469] A₆=−3.89612×10⁻⁶

[0470] A₈=5.86071×10⁻⁸

[0471] A₁₀=−4.01718×10⁻¹⁰

[0472] Zooming Data (∞) Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 39.320 75.541149.582 F_(NO) 6.00 9.00 13.00 ω (°) 28.11 15.65 8.11 d₄ 4.38 12.5817.59 d₁₂ 10.19 5.13 1.50 d₁₆ 8.39 23.17 52.53

EXAMPLE 10

[0473] EXAMPLE 10 r₁ = −24.318 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) =1.89418 ν_(d1) = 23.78 r₂ = −32.261 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 21.713 d₃ = 3.20n_(d2) = 1.49700 n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −131.492 d₄ =(Variable) r₅ = ∞ (Stop) d₅ = 1.36 r₆ = −25.441 d₆ = 1.00 n_(d3) =1.84666 n_(g3) = 1.89418 ν_(d3) = 23.78 r₇ = −154.058 d₇ = 0.51 r₈ =27.918 d₈ = 3.39 n_(d4) = 1.62004 n_(g4) = 1.64217 ν_(d4) = 36.26 r₉ =−6.422 d₉ = 1.00 n_(d5) = 1.78800 n_(g5) = 1.80888 ν_(d5) = 47.37 r₁₀ =41.155 d₁₀ = 0.42 r₁₁ = 27.950 (Aspheric) d₁₁ = 3.61 n_(d6) = 1.58213n_(g6) = 1.59430 ν_(d6) = 59.28 r₁₂ = −10.269 (Aspheric) d₁₂ =(Variable) r₁₃ = −66.821 (Aspheric) d₁₃ = 3.13 n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7) =1.53705 ν_(d7) = 55.78 r₁₄ = −116.419 (Aspheric) d₁₄ = 2.78 r₁₅ =−11.002 d₁₅ = 1.50 n_(d8) = 1.77250 n_(g8) = 1.79197 ν_(d8) = 49.60 r₁₆= −664.086 d₁₆ = (Variable) r₁₇ = ∞

[0474] (Image Plane)

[0475] Aspherical Coefficients

[0476] 11th surface

[0477] K=0.000

[0478] A₄=−4.10910×10⁻⁵

[0479] A₆=5.35910×10⁻⁵

[0480] A₈=−1.03810×10⁻⁷

[0481] A₁₀=4.91150×10⁻⁹

[0482] 12th surface

[0483] K=0.000

[0484] A₄=6.66670×10⁻⁵

[0485] A₆=4.71570×10⁻⁶

[0486] A₈=−1.66820×10⁻⁷

[0487] A₁₀=6.61640×10⁻⁹

[0488] 13th surface

[0489] K=0.000

[0490] A₄=−1.61190×10⁻⁵

[0491] A₆=−3.00570×10⁻⁶

[0492] A₈=4.69600×10⁻⁸

[0493] A₁₀=−2.13690×10⁻¹⁰

[0494] 14th surface

[0495] K=0.000

[0496] A₄=−1.39990×10⁻⁴

[0497] A₆=−3.66890×10⁻⁶

[0498] A₈=4.46010×10⁻⁸

[0499] A₁₀=−2.53540×10⁻¹⁰

[0500] Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 38.819 75.502 144.764 F_(NO)5.24 8.40 13.81 ω (°) 28.355 15.49 8.354 d₄ 5.48 13.55 18.80 d₁₂ 10.135.00 1.50 d₁₆ 8.00 23.86 52.27

EXAMPLE 11

[0501] r₁ = −21.913 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.84666 n_(g1) = 1.89418 ν_(d1) =23.78 r₂ = −29.024 d₂ = 0.20 r₃ = 22.870 d₃ = 3.49 n_(d2) = 1.49700n_(g2) = 1.50451 ν_(d2) = 81.54 r₄ = −82.843 d₄ = (Variable) r₅ = ∞ d₅ =1.16 (Stop) r₆ = −37.750 d₆ = 1.10 n_(d3) = 1.84666 n_(g3) = 1.89418ν_(d3) = 23.78 r₇ = d₇ = 0.55 −205.201 r₈ = 44.797 d₈ = 3.48 n_(d4) =1.61293 n_(g4) = 1.63434 ν_(d4) = 37.00 r₉ = −6.203 d₉ = 1.10 n_(d5) =1.78800 n_(g5) = 1.80888 ν_(d5) = 47.37 r₁₀ = 35.802 d₁₀ = 0.44 r₁₁ =26.158 d₁₁ = 3.80 n_(d6) = 1.58313 n_(g6) = 1.59530 ν_(d6) = 59.38(Aspheric) r₁₂ = −9.995 d₁₂ = (Aspheric) (Variable) r₁₃ = d₁₃ = 3.30n_(d7) = 1.52542 n_(g7) = 1.53705 ν_(d7) = 55.78 −76.181 (Aspheric) r₁₄= d₁₄ = 2.50 −120.546 (Aspheric) r₁₅ = d₁₅ = 1.50 n_(d8) = 1.77250n_(g8) = 1.79197 ν_(d8) = 49.60 −11.000 r₁₆ = d₁₆ = 5177.747 (Variable)r₁₇ = ∞

[0502] (Image Plane)

[0503] Aspherical Coefficients

[0504] 11th surface

[0505] K=0.000

[0506] A₄=−5.66080×10⁻⁵

[0507] A₆=−3.01173×10⁻⁷

[0508] A₈=6.30927×10⁻⁸

[0509] A₁₀=6.95563×10⁻¹⁰

[0510] 12th surface

[0511] K=0.000

[0512] A₄=4.39188×10⁻⁵

[0513] A₆=8.28632×10⁻⁷

[0514] A₈=−8.75173×10⁻⁸

[0515] A₁₀=3.51044×10⁻⁹

[0516] 13th surface

[0517] K=0.000

[0518] A₄=−1.46697×10⁻⁵

[0519] A₆=−3.48678×10⁻⁶

[0520] A₈=3.48370×10⁻⁸

[0521] A₁₀=−8.44257×10⁻¹¹

[0522] 14th surface

[0523] K=0.000

[0524] A₄=−1.53898×10⁻⁴

[0525] A₆=−3.13208×10⁻⁶

[0526] A₈=2.30720×10⁻⁸

[0527] A₁₀=−1.23645×10⁻¹⁰

[0528] Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 38.818 75.500 144.750 F_(NO)6.00 9.00 13.24 ω (°) 28.315 15.568 8.377 d₄ 5.13 13.02 18.78 d₁₂ 10.465.31 1.63 d₁₆ 8.00 23.86 51.47

EXAMPLE 12

[0529] r₁ = 50.262 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.55892 n_(g1) = 1.56879 ν_(d1) =69.73 r₂ = 7.500 d₂ = 3.80 r₃ = 27.082 d₃ = 2.40 n_(d2) = 1.79425 n_(g2)= 1.83557 ν_(d2) = 25.52 (Aspheric) r₄ = 55.618 d₄ = (Aspheric)(Variable) r₅ = ∞ d₅ = 0.80 (Stop) r₆ = 9.206 d₆ = 2.00 n_(d3) = 1.74165n_(g3) = 1.75907 ν_(d3) = 52.92 (Aspheric) r₇ = d₇ = 0.10 −531.547(Aspheric) r₈ = 14.641 d₈ = 2.40 n_(d4) = 1.78800 n_(g4) = 1.80886ν_(d4) = 47.40 r₉ = −43.113 d₉ = 2.91 n_(d5) = 1.78529 n_(g5) = 1.82564ν_(d5) = 25.82 r₁₀ = 5.017 d₁₀ = 1.30 r₁₁ = 10.613 d₁₁ = 1.50 n_(d6) =1.84274 n_(g6) = 1.88777 ν_(d6) = 24.83 r₁₂ = 17.744 d₁₂ = (Variable)r₁₃ = 38.620 d₁₃ = 2.00 n_(d7) = 1.78800 n_(g7) = 1.80886 ν_(d7) = 47.40r₁₄ = d₁₄ = −40.119 (Variable) r₁₅ = ∞ d₁₅ = 0.96 n_(d8) = 1.54771n_(g8) = 1.55843 ν_(d8) = 62.84 r₁₆ = ∞ d₁₆ = 0.60 r₁₇ = ∞ d₁₇ = 0.50n_(d9) = 1.51633 n_(g9) = 1.52621 ν_(d9) = 64.14 r₁₈ = ∞ d₁₈ = 0.46 r₁₉= ∞

[0530] (Image Plane)

[0531] Aspherical Coefficients

[0532] 3rd surface

[0533] K=−5.242

[0534] A₄=−6.97212×10⁻⁶

[0535] A₆=2.17028×10⁻⁷

[0536] A₈=1.94316×10⁻⁸

[0537] A₁₀=1.42689×10⁻⁹

[0538] 4th surface

[0539] K=−0.024

[0540] A₄=−1.49890×10⁻⁴

[0541] A₆=−1.92065×10⁻⁶

[0542] A₈=9.51222×10⁻⁸

[0543] A₁₀=3.03389×10⁻¹⁰

[0544] 6th surface

[0545] K=−0.201

[0546] A₄=1.23734×10⁻⁵

[0547] A₆=−3.03905×10⁻⁶

[0548] A₈=0

[0549] A₁₀=0

[0550] 7th surface

[0551] K=0.000

[0552] A₄=1.25305×10⁻⁴

[0553] A₆=−3.28018×10⁻⁶

[0554] A₈=−7.98499×10⁻⁹

[0555] A₁₀=0

[0556] Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 7.557 14.930 24.907 F_(NO) 2.723.46 4.42 ω (°) 29.97 16.62 10.068 d₄ 21.45 8.08 2.20 d₁₂ 2.05 9.4719.15 d₁₄ 4.73 4.00 2.75

EXAMPLE 13

[0557] r₁ = 72.196 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.72647 n_(g1) = 1.74287 ν_(d1) =54.94 r₂ = 7.900 d₂ = 3.23 r₃ = 32.210 d₃ = 2.40 n_(d2) = 1.84700 n_(g2)= 1.89398 ν_(d2) = 24.00 (Aspheric) r₄ = 345.667 d₄ = (Aspheric)(Variable) r₅ = ∞ d₅ = 0.80 (Stop) r₆ = 9.306 d₆ = 2.00 n_(d3) = 1.77902n_(g3) = 1.79921 ν_(d3) = 48.33 (Aspheric) r₇ = 207.814 d₇ = 0.10(Aspheric) r₈ = 15.087 d₈ = 2.40 n_(d4) = 1.79437 n_(g4) = 1.81803ν_(d4) = 42.61 r₉ = −9.822 d₉ = 2.91 n_(d5) = 1.72737 n_(g5) = 1.76147ν_(d5) = 28.16 r₁₀ = 4.710 d₁₀ = 1.30 r₁₁ = 8.637 d₁₁ = 1.50 n_(d6) =1.79880 n_(g6) = 1.82440 ν_(d6) = 39.86 r₁₂ = 12.918 d₁₂ = (Variable)r₁₃ = 41.673 d₁₃ = 2.00 n_(d7) = 1.80825 n_(g7) = 1.83796 ν_(d7) = 35.09r₁₄ = d₁₄ = −64.206 (Variable) r₁₅ = ∞ d₁₅ = 0.96 n_(d8) = 1.54771n_(g8) = 1.55843 ν_(d8) = 62.84 r₁₆ = ∞ d₁₆ = 0.60 r₁₇ = ∞ d₁₇ = 0.50n_(d9) = 1.51633 n_(g9) = 1.52621 ν_(d9) = 64.14 r₁₈ = ∞ d₁₈ = 0.50 r₁₉= ∞

[0558] (Image Plane)

[0559] Aspherical Coefficients

[0560] 3rd surface

[0561] K=−13.992

[0562] A₄=−3.65766×10⁻⁵

[0563] A₆=2.62458×10⁻⁷

[0564] A₈=3.33132×10⁻⁸

[0565] A₁₀=2.43049×10⁻⁹

[0566] 4th surface

[0567] K=3089.485

[0568] A₄=−1.96439×10⁻⁴

[0569] A₆=−2.86122×10⁻⁶

[0570] A₈=1.63720×10⁻⁷

[0571] A₁₀=5.06912×10⁻¹⁰

[0572] 6th surface

[0573] K=−0.131

[0574] A₄=3.45366×10⁻⁵

[0575] A₆=−3.02117×10⁻⁶

[0576] A₈=0

[0577] A₁₀=0

[0578] 7th surface

[0579] K=0.000

[0580] A₄=1.96643×10⁻⁴

[0581] A₆=−2.38883×10⁻⁶

[0582] A₈=−3.81744×10⁻⁸

[0583] A₁₀=0

[0584] Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 7.949 15.000 23.849 F_(NO) 3.313.59 4.45 ω (°) 30.32 16.59 10.5 d₄ 19.52 6.94 2.20 d₁₂ 3.22 9.33 18.17d₁₄ 3.83 4.00 2.75

EXAMPLE 14

[0585] r₁ = 82.606 d₁ = 1.20 n_(d1) = 1.60762 n_(g1) = 1.61939 ν_(d1) =63.76 r₂ = 7.900 d₂ = 3.34 r₃ = 30.296 d₃ = 2.40 n_(d2) = 1.58423 n_(g2)= 1.60949 ν_(d2) = 30.49 (Aspheric) r₄ = 273.072 d₄ = (Aspheric)(Variable) r₅ = ∞ d₅ = 0.80 (Stop) r₆ = 9.472 d₆ = 2.00 n_(d3) = 1.75881n_(g3) = 1.77750 ν_(d3) = 50.65 (Aspheric) r₇ = 300.944 d₇ = 0.10(Aspheric) r₈ = 14.801 d₈ = 2.40 n_(d4) = 1.78800 n_(g4) = 1.80886ν_(d4) = 47.40 r₉ = −22.681 d₉ = 2.88 n_(d5) = 1.71140 n_(g5) = 1.74377ν_(d5) = 28.95 r₁₀ = 4.827 d₁₀ = 1.30 r₁₁ = 10.058 d₁₁ = 1.50 n_(d6) =1.72900 n_(g6) = 1.74550 ν_(d6) = 54.80 r₁₂ = 18.866 d₁₂ = (Variable)r₁₃ = d₁₃ = 2.00 n_(d7) = 1.74637 n_(g7) = 1.76414 ν_(d7) = 52.26−114.527 r₁₄ = d₁₄ = −18.783 (Variable) r₁₅ = ∞ d₁₅ = 0.96 n_(d8) =1.54771 n_(g8) = 1.55843 ν_(d8) = 62.84 r₁₆ = ∞ d₁₆ = 0.60 r₁₇ = ∞ d₁₇ =0.50 n_(d9) = 1.51633 n_(g9) = 1.52621 ν_(d9) = 64.14 r₁₈ = ∞ d₁₈ = 0.48r₁₉ = ∞

[0586] (Image Plane)

[0587] Aspherical Coefficients

[0588] 3rd surface

[0589] K=−13.972

[0590] A₄=−7.21162×10⁻⁵

[0591] A₆=−4.84391×10⁻⁶

[0592] A₈=1.75836×10⁻⁷

[0593] A₁₀=1.94666×10⁻⁹

[0594] 4th surface

[0595] K=1884.188

[0596] A₄=−2.75290×10⁻⁴

[0597] A₆=−7.90310×10⁻⁶

[0598] A₈=3.09273×10⁻⁷

[0599] A₁₀=−5.54978×10⁻¹¹

[0600] 6th surface

[0601] K=0.014

[0602] A₄=1.17229×10⁻⁴

[0603] A₆=−9.88926×10⁻⁶

[0604] A₈=0

[0605] A₁₀=0

[0606] 7th surface

[0607] K=0.000

[0608] A₄=3.03311×10⁻⁴

[0609] A₆=−1.40106×10⁻⁵

[0610] A₈=8.25907×10⁻⁸

[0611] A₁₀=0

[0612] Zooming Data (∞) WE ST TE f (mm) 7.959 15.018 23.850 F_(NO) 3.193.55 4.35 ω (°) 30.0 16.64 10.63 d₄ 19.64 7.54 2.20 d₁₂ 1.43 9.56 17.93d₁₄ 5.56 4.00 2.75

[0613] FIGS. 15-28 are aberration diagrams for Example 1 to 14 uponfocused at infinity, with (a), (b) and (c) indicative of aberrations atthe wide-angle end, in the intermediate state and at the telephoto end,and “SA”, “AS”, “DT” and “CC” representative of spherical aberrations,astigmatism, distortion and chromatic aberration of magnification,respectively. In these figures, the designation “FlY” stands for animage height.

[0614] Set out below are the values of conditions (1) to (12) and thezoom ratios in the respective examples. Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (1) 0.0840.112 0.134 0.128 0.147 0.130 0.139 (2) 2.20 2.20 2.20 2.13 2.15 2.242.17 (3) % 2.823 2.5372 3.498 3.5 3.49 3.5 3.5 (4) 32.53 37.95 22.2221.91 22.75 27.62 31.17 (5) 0.657 0.658 0.662 0.656 0.656 0.648 0.648(6) 0.340 0.335 0.232 0.275 0.255 0.213 0.233 (7) 0.087 0.089 0.0190.022 0.022 0.029 0.044 (8) 21.6 21.6 21.633 21.633 21.633 21.63 21.63mm (9) 6.71 6.71 6.69 6.70 6.69 6.70 6.70 (10) 3.39 3.40 1.22 1.24 1.320.93 1.00 (11) 1.786 1.786 1.788 1.788 1.788 1.806 1.806 (12) 44.2044.20 47.37 47.40 47.37 40.92 40.92 Zoom 3.68 3.68 3.73 3.69 3.73 3.693.69 Ratio Example 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 (1) 0.136 0.149 0.154 0.144 0.0450.047 0.068 (2) 2.17 2.17 2.64 2.21 2.03 1.35 1.36 (3) % 3.48 2.97 3.263.42 −2.67 −4.08 −3.47 (4) 22.79 22.52 22.58 30.06 — — — (5) 0.649 0.6360.662 0.661 1.89 1.91 1.905 (6) 0.227 0.274 0.208 0.235 0.240 0.2430.192 (7) 0.014 0.025 0.018 0.018 0.034 0.027 0.026 (8) 21.633 21.63321.633 21.63 4.44 4.44 4.44 mm (9) 6.69 6.92 6.69 6.69 5.61 5.42 5.37(10) 1.17 1.67 1.13 1.32 — — — (11) 1.806 1.788 1.788 1.788 — — — 1.773(12) 40.92 47.37 47.37 47.37 — — — 49.60 Zoom 3.68 3.80 3.73 3.73 3.153.00 3.00 Ratio

[0615] Enumerated below are the values of parameters δ_(g), IH, TeleFno,WideFno, ΔZ_(max), ΔZ_(half), Y_(max), d₁, D_(air), L_(t), f_(t),f_(asp) and f_(N) as well as difference Δ between the real lens diameterand the effective diameter of light rays as used for the calculations ofΔZ_(max), etc. Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 δ_(g) 1.814 2.419 2.899 2.769 3.1802.812 3.007 I H 21.6 21.6 21.633 21.633 21.633 21.63 21.63 TeleFno 13.3613.35 13.2 13.22 12.86 13.46 13.45 WideFno 6.06 6.08 6 6.21 6 6 6.2ΔZ_(max) 4.102 4.036 2.324 2.768 2.496 2.138 2.289 ΔZ_(half) 0.83 0.8450.171 0.217 0.197 0.255 0.362 Y_(max) 9.493 9.493 8.898 9.314 9.0058.853 8.286 d₁ 2.189 21.89 3.103 3.297 3.3 2.5 2.5 D_(air) 0.646 0.6462.543 2.651 2.496 2.682 2.5 L_(t) 95.31 95.32 95.9 95 95 94 94 f_(t)144.96 144.83 144.8 144.9 144.79 145 145 f_(asp) −453.75 −529.36−299.998 −300 −300.11 −400 −400 f_(N) −13.95 −13.949 −13.503 −13.693−13.192 −14.481 −12.83 Δ 0 0 0 0.29 −0.08 0 0 Example 8 9 10 11 12 13 14δ_(g) 2.942 3.223 3.331 3.115 0.200 0.209 0.302 I H 21.633 21.633 21.63321.633 4.44 4.44 4.44 TeleFno 13 13 13.8 13.24 4.41 4.45 4.35 WideFno 66 5.245 6 2.72 3.31 3.19 ΔZ_(max) 2.159 2.633 1.988 2.225 2.075 1.9711.523 ΔZ_(half) 0.124 0.216 0.157 0.158 0.259 0.195 0.179 Y_(max) 8.9658.832 8.81 8.81 7.56 7.3 7 d₁ 3.32 3.307 3.13 3.3 — — — D_(air) 2.8361.983 2.777 2.496 — — — L_(t) 94.012 95.2 95.86 95.7 47.02 45.519 45.424f_(t) 144.78 149.582 144.76 144.75 24.91 23.849 23.85 f_(asp) −300−291.373 −305.15 −404.31 — — — f_(N) −13.16 −12.938 −13.51 −13.451 — — —Δ 0 0 — −0.1 0.66 0.5 0

[0616] In the present disclosure, the maximum image height IH at theimage plane is defined as a half of the diagonal length L of the(substantially rectangular) effective image pickup area of an imagepickup device. When film is used as an image pickup recording medium,the means for defining the image pickup area is a field frame locatedjust in front thereof, and when a CCD or other electronic image pickupdevice is used as the image pickup recording medium, that means is theelectronic image pickup device itself, which includes an image pickuparea that may be used for the reproduction of phototaken images.

[0617] Here the diagonal length L of the effective image pickup plane(effective image pickup area) of the electronic image pickup device andthe pixel spacing a are explained. FIG. 29 is illustrative of oneexemplary pixel array for the electronic image pickup device, wherein R(red), G (green) and B (blue) pixels are mosaically arranged at thepixel spacing a. The “effective image pickup plane” used herein isunderstood to mean a certain area in the photoelectric conversionsurface on an image pickup device used for the reproduction of aphototaken image (on a personal computer or by a printer). The effectiveimage pickup plane shown is set at an area narrower than the totalphotoelectric conversion surface on the image pickup device, dependingon the performance of the optical system used (an image circle that canbe ensured by the performance of the optical system). The diagonallength L of an effective image pickup plane is thus defined by that ofthe effective image pickup plane. Although the image pickup range usedfor image reproduction may be variable, it is noted that when theimage-formation lens system of the invention is used on an image pickupapparatus having such functions, the diagonal length L of its effectiveimage pickup plane varies. In that case, the diagonal length L of theeffective image pickup plane according to the present invention isdefined by the maximum value in the widest possible range for L(definition of the maximum image height IH).

[0618]FIG. 30 is illustrative of the diagonal length of an effectiveimage pickup plane when phototaking film is used in place of the imagepickup device. When images are formed on that film, its effectivephototaking area is determined by an aperture in the field frame locatedjust in front of the film. The field frame may again be differentlyconfigured. In this case, too, the diagonal length L of the effectiveimage pickup plane for defining the maximum image height IH hereinshould be given by the maximum value in the widest possible range for L.

[0619] The electronic imaging system of the invention constructed asdescribed above may be applied to phototaking systems where objectimages formed through an image-formation lens system comprising a zoomlens are received at image pickup devices such as CCDs or silver-halidefilms, inter alia, compact cameras, digital cameras or video cameras aswell as PCs and telephone sets which are typical information processors,in particular, easy-to-carry cellular phones. Given below are some suchembodiments.

[0620] One typical construction of the compact camera is shown in theperspective view of FIG. 31(a) and the optical path diagram of FIG.31(b). The image-formation lens system of the invention may be used as aphototaking objective lens 3 for the compact camera of suchconstruction. In FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b), reference numeral 9 stands for acamera body, 1 a phototaking optical path, and 2 a finder optical path.The phototaking optical path 1 lies parallel with the finder opticalpath 2, and an object image is observed through a finder comprising afinder objective lens 5, an image erecting prism 6, a stop 7 and aneyepiece lens 8, and is formed on film 4 via the phototaking objectivelens 3. The image-formation lens system of the invention may also beused as the photo-taking objective lens for digital cameras using a CCDor other electronic image pickup device in place of film.

[0621]FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 are conceptual illustrations of a phototakingoptical system 41 for digital cameras, in which the image-formation zoomlens of the invention is built. FIG. 32 is a front perspective view ofthe outward appearance of a digital camera 40, and FIG. 33 is a rearperspective view of the same. FIG. 34 is a sectional view of theconstruction of the digital camera 40. In this embodiment, the digitalcamera 40 comprises a phototaking optical system 41 including aphototaking optical path 42, a finder optical system 43 including afinder optical path 44, a shutter 45, a flash 46, a liquid crystaldisplay monitor 47 and so on. As the shutter 45 mounted on the upperportion of the camera 40 is pressed down, phototaking takes placethrough the phototaking optical system 41 comprising the zoom lens ofthe invention, for instance, the zoom lens according to Example 12. Anobject image formed by the phototaking optical system 41 is formed onthe image pickup plane of a CCD 49 via an optical low-pass filter LFhaving a near-infrared cut coat thereon. The object image received atCCD 49 is shown as an electronic image on the liquid crystal displaymonitor 47 via processing means 51, which monitor is mounted on the backof the camera. This processing means 51 is connected with recordingmeans 52 in which the phototaken electronic image may be recorded. It ishere noted that the recording means 52 may be provided separately fromthe processing means 51 or, alternatively, it may be constructed in sucha way that images are electronically recorded and written therein bymeans of floppy discs, memory cards, MOs or the like. This camera mayalso be constructed in the form of a silver halide camera using a silverhalide film in place of CCD 49.

[0622] Moreover, a finder objective optical system 53 is located on thefinder optical path 44. An object image formed by the finder objectiveoptical system 53 is in turn formed on the field frame 57 of a Porroprism 55 that is an image erecting member. In the rear of the Porroprism 55 there is located an eyepiece optical system 59 for guiding anerected image into the eyeball E of an observer. It is here noted thatcover members 50 are provided on the entrance sides of the phototakingoptical system 41 and the finder objective optical system 53 as well ason the exit side of the eyepiece optical system 59.

[0623] With the thus constructed digital camera 40, it is possible toachieve high performance and cost reductions, because the phototakingoptical system 41 is constructed of a fast zoom lens having a high zoomratio at the wide-angle end with satisfactory aberrations and a backfocus large enough to receive a filter, etc. therein.

[0624] In the embodiment of FIG. 34, plane-parallel plates are used asthe cover members 50; however, it is acceptable to use powered lenses.

[0625] In the digital camera of FIG. 34, the phototaking optical path 42is arranged in parallel with the finder optical path 44. In a TTLwherein a finder optical path-splitting prism is interposed between theimage pickup plane of the zoom lens and the phototaking optical system41, the finder objective optical system 53 and Porro prism 55 areremoved, and instead a penta prism is located to guide an object imagethrough the phototaking optical system 41 to the eyeball E of theobserver.

[0626]FIGS. 35, 36 and 37 are illustrative of a personal computer thatis one example of the information processor in which the image-formationlens system of the present invention is built as an objective opticalsystem. FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of a personal computer 300that is in an uncovered state, FIG. 36 is a sectional view of aphototaking optical system 303 in the personal computer 300, and FIG. 37is a side view of the state of FIG. 35. As shown in FIGS. 35, 36 and 37,the personal computer 300 comprises a keyboard 301 via which an operatorenters information therein from outside, information processing orrecording means (not shown), a monitor 302 on which the information isshown for the operator, and a phototaking optical system 303 for takingan image of the operator and surrounding images. For the monitor 302,use may be made of a transmission type liquid crystal display deviceilluminated by backlight (not shown) from the back surface, a reflectiontype liquid crystal display device in which light from the front isreflected to show images, or a CRT display device. While the phototakingoptical system 303 is shown as being built in the upper right portion ofthe monitor 302, it may be located somewhere around the monitor 302 orkeyboard 301.

[0627] This phototaking optical system 303 comprises on a phototakingoptical path 304 an objective lens 112 comprising the zoom lensaccording to the present invention, as shown roughly, and an imagepickup device chip 162 for receiving an image. These members are builtin the personal computer 300.

[0628] Here an optical low-pass filter is additionally applied onto theimage pickup device chip 162 to form an integral imaging unit 160, whichcan be fitted into the rear end of a lens barrel 113 of the objectivelens 112 in one-touch operation. Thus, the assembly of the objectivelens 112 and image pickup device chip 162 is facilitated because of noneed of alignment or control of surface-to-surface spacing. The lensbarrel 113 is provided at its end with a cover glass 114 for protectionof the objective lens 112. It is here noted that driving mechanisms forthe zoom lens, etc. contained in the lens barrel 113 are not shown.

[0629] An object image received at the image pickup device chip 162 isentered via a terminal 166 into the processing means of the personalcomputer 300, and displayed as an electronic image on the monitor 302.As an example, an image 305 taken of the operator is shown in FIG. 35.This image 305 may be displayed on a personal computer on the other endvia suitable processing means and the Internet or telephone line.

[0630] FIGS. 38(a), 38(b) and 38(c) are illustrative of a telephone setthat is one example of the information processor in which theimage-formation lens system of the present invention is built in theform of a phototaking optical system, especially a convenient-to-carrycellular phone. FIG. 38(a) and FIG. 38(b) are a front and a side viewsof a cellular phone 400, respectively, and FIG. 38(c) is a sectionalview of a phototaking optical system 405. As shown in FIGS. 38(a), 38(b)and 38(c), the cellular phone 400 comprises a microphone 401 forentering the voice of an operator therein as information, a speaker 402for producing the voice of the person on the other end, an input dial403 via which the operator enters information therein, a monitor 404 fordisplaying an image taken of the operator or the person on the other endand indicating information such as telephone numbers, a phototakingoptical system 405, an antenna 406 for transmitting and receivingcommunication waves, and processing means (not shown) for processingimage information, communication information, input signals, etc. Herethe monitor 404 is a liquid crystal display device. It is noted that thecomponents are not necessarily arranged as shown. The phototakingoptical system 405 comprises on a phototaking optical path 407 anobjective lens 112 comprising the zoom lens according to the presentinvention, as roughly shown, and an image pickup device chip 162 forreceiving an object image. These are built in the cellular phone 400.

[0631] Here an optical low-pass filter LF is additionally applied ontothe image pickup device chip 162 to form an integral imaging unit 160,which can be fitted into the rear end of a lens barrel 113 of theobjective lens 112 in one-touch operation. Thus, the assembly of theobjective lens 112 and image pickup device chip 162 is facilitatedbecause of no need of alignment or control of surface-to-surfacespacing. The lens barrel 113 is provided at its end with a cover glass114 for protection of the objective lens 112. It is here noted thatdriving mechanisms for the zoom lens, etc. contained in the lens barrel113 are not shown.

[0632] An object image received at the image pickup device chip 162 isentered via a terminal 166 into processing means (not shown), so thatthe object image can be displayed as an electronic image on the monitor404 and/or a monitor at the other end. To send images to the other end,the processing means also include a signal processing function forconverting information about the object image received at the imagepickup device chip 162 into transmittable signals, thereby sending theimage to the person at the other end.

[0633] Thus, the present invention can provide an image-formation lenssystem well-balanced among cost reductions, size reductions andperformance improvements, and an imaging system incorporating the same.

What we claim is:
 1. An imaging system comprising an image-formationlens system and a means located on the image side thereof for definingan image pickup area, wherein: said image-formation lens system is azoom lens system comprising at least three lens groups including a lensgroup of positive power and a lens group of negative power, whereinzooming is carried out by varying a spacing between adjacent lensgroups, and said zoom lens system comprises a total of up to 8 lenses,and satisfies the following conditions: 0.07<δ_(g) /IH<0.23  (1)1.8<TeleFno/WideFno<3  (2) −8%<DTL_(w)<8%  (3) where δ_(g) is adifference between rear focal positions at d- and g-lines of said zoomlens system at a telephoto end, IH is a maximum image height at an imageplane, WideFno and TeleFno are F-numbers at d-line of said zoom lenssystem at wide-angle end and telephoto end, respectively, and DTL_(w) isan amount of d-line distortion at an angle of view of 28.0° at thewide-angle end.
 2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein saidmaximum image height IH at the image plane satisfies the followingcondition: 20 mm<IH<25 mm  (8)
 3. The imaging system according to claim1 or 2, wherein at least one of said lens groups having negative powerconsists of a plurality of negative lenses whose power turns negative onan optical axis, wherein at least one of said plurality of negativelenses is an aspheric lens whose power turns from negative to positivefarther off a center thereof, and at least one negative lens included insaid plurality of negative lenses and different from said aspheric lensmaintains negative power all the way from a center to a peripherythereof.
 4. The imaging system according to claim 3, wherein saidaspheric lens satisfies following condition: 10<f _(asp) /f_(N)<100  (4) where f_(asp) is a focal length of the aspheric lens onthe optical axis, and f_(N) is the focal length on the optical axis ofthe lens group of negative power including the aspheric lens.
 5. Theimaging system according to claim 1, wherein said image-formation lenssystem is a three-group zoom lens comprising, in order from an objectside thereof, a lens group of positive power, a lens group of positivepower and a lens group of negative power wherein zooming is performed byvarying the spacing between adjacent lens groups, and satisfies thefollowing condition: 0.55<L _(t) /f _(t)<0.715  (5) where L_(t) is areal distance at the telephoto end of the image-formation lens systemfrom a plane located nearest the object side to the image plane, andf_(t) is the composite focal length at the telephoto end of theimage-formation lens system.
 6. An image-formation lens systemcomprising a plurality of lenses with aspheric lenses, wherein: any oneof said aspheric lenses has an aspheric surface on an entrance side oran exit side thereof, and satisfies the following conditions: 0.4>(ΔZ_(max) −ΔZ _(half))/Y _(max)>0.18  (6) 0.05>ΔZ _(half) /Y _(max)≧0  (7)where Y_(max) is a maximum value of a distance of said aspheric lenssurface from an optical axis, ΔZ_(max) is an absolute value of adistance from a plane vertical to the optical axis including a lenssurface apex at Y_(max), and ΔZ_(half) is an absolute value of adistance from a plane vertical to the optical axis including a lenssurface apex at a half distance of said maximum value Y_(max), providedthat the lens surface refers to an entire area wherein a surface shapeinclusive of an effective diameter exists continuously, indicative of aboundary between that area and an area where the surface shape becomesdiscontinuous.
 7. The image-formation lens system according to claim 6,which satisfies either one of the following conditions: 0.4>(ΔZ _(max)−ΔZ _(half))/Y _(max)>0.20  (6′) 0.03>ΔZ _(half) /Y _(max)≧0  (7′)
 8. Animaging system, which comprises an image-formation lens system asrecited in claim 6 and a means located on an image side thereof fordefining an image pickup area, wherein: said image-formation lens systemcomprises a plurality of lens groups including a lens group of positivepower and a lens group of negative power, wherein zooming is performedby varying a spacing between adjacent lens groups, and said asphericlens is located within a lens group wherein a chief ray having thelargest image height at an image plane is farthest off an optical axisin a zooming zone.
 9. The imaging system according to claim 8, whereinsaid aspheric lens is located in a lens group nearest to the image side,with satisfaction of the following condition (9): 8.5>f _(t)/IH>5.8  (9) where f_(t) is a composite focal length of theimage-formation lens system at the telephoto end, and IH is a maximumimage height at the image plane.
 10. The image-formation lens systemaccording to claim 6, which comprises an aperture stop, wherein saidaspheric lens is such that a normal to said aspheric surface at aposition spaced away from an optical axis on said aspheric surface alonga lens surface by 70% of Y_(max) is inclined toward the optical axisside in a direction in which said aperture stop is located, and a lenshaving an effective diameter larger than that of said aspheric lens islocated on a side of said aspheric lens opposite to said aperture stopand adjacent to said aspheric lens on the optical axis with only an airgap therebetween.
 11. The image-formation lens system according to claim10, wherein the lens located adjacent to said aspheric lens is ameniscus lens having a concave surface on an aperture stop side, whereinsaid concave surface and said aspheric surface are opposite to eachother with an air gap therebetween and said aspheric surface and saidconcave surface are close to each other around peripheral positionsthereof.
 12. The image-formation lens system according to claim 10 or11, wherein said aspheric lens has a meniscus shape concave with respectto said aperture stop.
 13. The image-formation lens system according toclaim 12, wherein the lens adjacent to the aspheric lens is configuredin a meniscus form having a concave surface on the aperture stop sideand negative power.
 14. The imaging system according to claim 8,wherein: a lens group wherein said chief ray is farthest off the opticalaxis in a zooming zone is a lens group located nearest to the image sideof said zoom lens system, said lens group located adjacent to the imageside has negative power and consists of a plurality of negative lenseswhose power turns negative on the optical axis, said aspheric lens isany one of said plurality of negative lenses, wherein power turns fromnegative to positive farther off a center thereof, and at least one ofsaid plurality of negative lenses, different from said aspheric lens, isa negative lens that maintains negative power all the way from a centerto a periphery thereof.
 15. The imaging system according to claim 8,wherein: a lens group wherein said chief ray is farthest off the opticalaxis in a zooming zone is a lens group located nearest to the objectside of said zoom lens system, said lens group located nearest to theobject side is a lens group having negative power and comprising aplurality of lenses, each having power turning negative on the opticalaxis, a lens having an aspheric surface is provided somewhere other thanthe side nearest to the object side, wherein said aspheric lens is anyone of said plurality of lenses, which has gradually increasing positivepower farther off a center thereof, and at least one of said pluralityof lenses, different from said aspheric lens, is a negative lens thatmaintains negative power all the way from a center to a peripherythereof.
 16. The imaging system according to claim 8, wherein said zoomlens comprises up to 8 lenses in all.
 17. An image-formation lenssystem, which comprises, in order from an object side thereof, a firstlens group having positive power, a second lens group having positivepower and a third lens group having negative power, wherein zooming froma wide-angle end to a telephoto end of the image-formation lens systemis performed by allowing a spacing between the first lens group and thesecond lens group to become wide and a spacing between the second lensgroup and the third lens group to become narrow, and the third lensgroup consists of two negative lenses having negative power on anoptical axis and satisfies the following conditions (10) and (5): 0.8<d₁ /D _(air)<2.0  (10) 0.55<L _(t) /f _(t)<0.715  (5) where d₁ is athickness on the optical axis of an object side-negative lens in thethird lens group, D_(air) is an air gap between the two negative lensesin the third lens group, L_(t) is a real distance of the image-formationlens system from a surface located nearest to the object side to animage plane as measured at the telephoto end, and f_(t) is a compositefocal length of the image-formation lens system at the telephoto end.18. The imaging system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5 and 8,wherein: said image-formation lens system comprises, in order from anobject side thereof, a first lens group having positive power, a secondlens group having positive power and a third lens group having negativepower, wherein zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end thereofis performed with a zoom ratio of at least 3.3 by allowing a spacingbetween the first lens group and the second lens group to become wideand a spacing between the second lens group and the third lens group tobecome narrow.
 19. The image-formation lens system according to any oneof claims 6, 7 and 10, which comprises, in order from an object sidethereof, a first lens group having positive power, a second lens grouphaving positive power and a third lens group having negative power,wherein zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end thereof isperformed with a zoom ratio of at least 3.3 by allowing a spacingbetween the first lens group and the second lens group to become wideand a spacing between the second lens group and the third lens group tobecome narrow.
 20. The imaging system according to claim 3, wherein saidnegative power lens group including an aspheric lens is a lens grouplocated nearest to the image side thereof, and consists of two negativelenses on an optical axis.
 21. The image-formation lens system accordingto any one of claims 6, 7 and 10, which comprises at least three lensgroups including a lens group having positive power and a lens grouphaving negative power wherein a spacing between adjacent lenses isvaried for zooming, wherein: at least one lens group having negativepower includes said aspheric lens, is located nearest to the image sidethereof, and consists of two negative lenses on an optical axis.
 22. Theimaging system according to claim 20, wherein one of said two negativelenses is a plastic aspheric lens having a d-line refracting index of upto 1.6 and the other is a glass lens having a d-line refractive index ofat least 1.6.
 23. The image-formation lens system according to claim 21,wherein one of said two negative lenses is a plastic aspheric lenshaving a d-line refracting index of up to 1.6 and the other is a glasslens having a d-line refractive index of at least 1.6.
 24. The imagingsystem according to claim 5, wherein said second lens group isconfigured at a surface located nearest to the object side in such a wayas to be concave on the object side, and comprises a doublet thatconsists of a positive lens and a negative lens and satisfies thefollowing conditions: 1.85>n_(d)>1.7  (11) 60>ν_(d)>40  (12) where n_(d)and ν_(d) are a d-line refractive index and an Abbe number of thenegative lens in the doublet, respectively.
 25. The imaging systemaccording to claim 18, wherein said second lens group is configured at asurface located nearest to the object side in such a way as to beconcave on the object side, and comprises a doublet that consists of apositive lens and a negative lens and satisfies the followingconditions: 1.85>n_(d)>1.7  (11) 60>ν_(d)>40  (12) where n_(d) and ν_(d)are a d-line refractive index and an Abbe number of the negative lens inthe doublet, respectively.
 26. The image-formation lens system accordingto claim 17, wherein said second lens group is configured at a surfacelocated nearest to the object side in such a way as to be concave on theobject side, and comprises a doublet that consists of a positive lensand a negative lens and satisfies the following conditions:1.85>n_(d)>1.7  (11) 60>ν_(d)>40  (12) where n_(d) and ν_(d) are ad-line refractive index and an Abbe number of the negative lens in thedoublet, respectively.
 27. The image-formation lens system according toclaim 19, wherein said second lens group is configured at a surfacelocated nearest to the object side in such a way as to be concave on theobject side, and comprises a doublet that consists of a positive lensand a negative lens and satisfies the following conditions:1.85>n_(d)>1.7  (11) 60>ν_(d)>40  (12) where n_(d) and ν_(d) are ad-line refractive index and an Abbe number of the negative lens in thedoublet, respectively.
 28. The imaging system according to claim 5 or24, wherein in said first lens group or said third lens group there islocated a flare stop that is similar in shape to the image plane anddiffers in length in long and short side directions, thereby cutting offat least a part of harmful light beams in the long and short sidedirections.
 29. The imaging system according to claim 18, wherein insaid first lens group or said third lens group there is located a flarestop that is similar in shape to the image plane and differs in lengthin long and short side directions, thereby cutting off at least a partof harmful light beams in the long and short side directions.
 30. Theimage-formation lens system according to claim 17, which is athree-group zoom lens wherein said first lens group, said second lensgroup and said third lens group move in such a way as to vary a spacingbetween adjacent lens groups.